CSOs Laud DSS Over Major Arms Seizure in Sokoto, Demand Tighter Border Controls

A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for intercepting a large cache of illegal weapons in Dawakawa, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The seized weapons, comprising 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines, were reportedly smuggled into Nigeria from neighbouring Niger Republic.

In a joint statement issued in Bauchi State, the coalition said the timely interception had 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 also commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing capable individuals to lead the nation’s security agencies, noting that efforts by his administration to tackle insecurity and restore stability were yielding tangible results.

Specifically, the coalition praised the leadership of DSS Director-General, Oluwaseyi Tosin Ajayi, describing the Sokoto operation as evidence of the importance of intelligence-led operations in strengthening national security.

“This interception proves once again that no nation can effectively combat insecurity without credible intelligence gathering,” the coalition stated.

It also applauded the professionalism of DSS operatives and acknowledged the contributions of the military and the Nigeria Police Force to national security.

However, the group urged the Federal Government to strengthen border surveillance and security measures to prevent the influx of illegal arms into the country.

Warning that unscrupulous individuals could exploit the prevailing political climate to foment trouble, the coalition urged security agencies to remain focused and avoid political distractions.

It also called on Nigerians to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, stressing that insecurity affects all citizens, regardless of their political or religious affiliations.