The Department of State Services (DSS) in Delta State has successfully intercepted a substantial cache of advanced weaponry in the state capital, Asaba, following an intelligence-led operation. The raid, carried out on 12 October 2025 within the Asaba metropolis, culminated in the arrest of a notorious arms dealer, identified as Stephen Sabo Atoshi, along with his accomplice — a 40-year-old secondary-school teacher from Taraba State. The operation and what was found According to the DSS Delta State command, the suspects belong to a network specialising in trafficking small arms and light weapons (SALW). They reportedly sourced weapons from southern Libya via Chad, and entered Nigeria through an illicit border point in Yobe State. During the interrogation, Atoshi admitted to eight years of involvement in the illegal arms trade and claimed to have supplied more than 55 weapons — including General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) and AK-47 rifles — across the country. The consignment was especially well hidden: it included seven GPMGs, several AK-47 rifles, five hand grenades, hundreds of rounds of live ammunition, and other military-grade weapons. They were concealed in bags of beans being transported from the North to the Oko Food Market, along the Asaba–Onitsha Expressway. In addition, the operators uncovered 497 cartons of counterfeit drugs intended for distribution in Delta State. Government reaction and next steps Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State commended the DSS for their decisive strike, describing the operation as a significant breakthrough in the state’s fight against insecurity. He directed security agencies to immediately launch a crackdown on criminal syndicates and those backing them, reiterating his administration’s commitment to ensuring peace, unity and development in Delta State. Why this matters The trafficking of high-powered weapons into Delta State — and Nigeria more broadly — is a serious threat to public order, regional stability and investor confidence. This seizure not only disrupts a smuggling pipeline but also sends a strong message about enforcement capacity and the will of the government to act.By uncovering both arms and counterfeit pharmaceuticals in the same operation, the DSS highlights how criminal networks often diversify their illicit activities — thereby making such operations not just about weapons but broader organised crime.For residents and stakeholders in Asaba and neighbouring communities, such developments raise hope for enhanced security — though vigilance must remain. What comes next
