A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) following the interception of a large cache of illegal weapons in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The seized arsenal—comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns, and 825 magazines—was reportedly smuggled into the country from the neighbouring Niger Republic.
In a joint statement issued in Bauchi State, the coalition noted that the timely interception prevented potential attacks on civilians and religious centres across the region. The statement was signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity; John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch; Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria; Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum; and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy for Africa.
The group praised President Bola Tinubu for appointing capable leaders to head the nation’s security architecture, stating that the administration’s efforts to tackle insecurity and restore stability are yielding tangible results.
Specifically, the coalition lauded the disciplined leadership style of DSS Director-General Oluwaseyi Tosin Ajayi, noting that the Sokoto operation underscores the critical role of intelligence-led policing in national security.
“This interception proves once again that no nation can effectively combat insecurity without credible intelligence gathering,” the coalition stated, while also applauding the professionalism of the DSS operatives alongside the military and the Nigeria Police Force.
However, the group urged the Federal Government to urgently strengthen border surveillance and security to stem the influx of illicit arms into the country.
Warning that unscrupulous actors might exploit the political climate to foment trouble, the coalition charged security agencies to remain focused and avoid political distractions. They also called on citizens to support security operatives with timely information, emphasizing that insecurity threatens all Nigerians regardless of political or religious affiliation.
