The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 38 year old man, Mustapha Mohammad, over the unlawful possession of 954 suspected explosive materials in the state.
The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Command’s Task Force on Illegal Mining following what the police described as credible and actionable intelligence.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the suspect was intercepted while driving a Toyota Corolla during an operation conducted on January 27, 2026.
Abubakar said a thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the suspected explosives concealed inside polyethylene bags.
He said, “On 27th January, 2026, at about 1615 hours, operatives of the Task Force on Illegal Mining, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, carried out a successful operation which led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with unlawful possession of suspected explosive materials.
“The suspect, Mustapha Mohammad, aged 38 years, was arrested while driving a Toyota Corolla. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of nine hundred and fifty four pieces of suspected explosive materials concealed in polyethene bags.”
The police disclosed that preliminary investigations suggested the materials were intended for use by bandits as improvised explosive devices.
“The recovered materials are suspected to have been meant for use by bandits as Improvised Explosive Devices,” the statement added.
The police said the suspect is currently in custody, while the exhibits have been secured and handed over to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit for proper analysis and safe keeping.
Abubakar noted that investigations were ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the explosives, as well as to identify other persons connected to the crime.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” he said.
