Police in north-western Nigeria have arrested a 38-year-old man after discovering nearly 1,000 pieces of suspected explosive materials hidden in his vehicle.
The suspect, identified as Mustapha Mohammad, was intercepted on Monday afternoon by a task force investigating illegal mining in Zamfara State. During a search of his Toyota Corolla, officers found 954 explosives concealed in plastic bags.
Authorities believe the materials were destined for criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, to be used in the construction of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
A ‘deadly’ cargo
The arrest took place following what the police described as “credible and actionable intelligence.” Zamfara has long been a flashpoint for banditry and illegal mining, and there are growing concerns that criminal groups are increasingly using explosives to target security forces and infrastructure.
The recovered items have been handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit for analysis.
Tracking the supply chain
Police spokesperson DSP Yazid Abubakar confirmed that an investigation is now underway to trace the origin of the explosives.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine the source, destination, and intended use of the recovered materials, as well as to identify and apprehend other possible accomplices,” Mr Abubakar said in a statement on Wednesday.
A nationwide alert
The discovery in Zamfara follows a similar incident just days ago in Oyo State, south-western Nigeria. On 25 January, police in the town of Saki intercepted a truck also carrying suspected explosive devices during a routine stop-and-search operation.
The back-to-back seizures have heightened security concerns across the country, as authorities scramble to disrupt the supply lines of explosives that could be used to escalate the ongoing conflict in the north or threaten urban centres.
Analysis: From mining to militancy?
By Segun Ojumu, Africa Eye News, Abuja
The link between illegal mining and banditry in Nigeria is becoming increasingly blurred. Many of the explosives used in the country’s vast, unregulated mining sector are often diverted to criminal groups. While these materials are frequently used to blast rocks, their repurposing as IEDs marks a dangerous escalation in the tactical capabilities of the bandits. The police will be under immense pressure to find out if these 954 pieces were stolen from a legitimate quarry or smuggled across Nigeria’s porous land borders.
The suspect remains in custody as detectives attempt to map his recent movements.
Add Comment