Troops of Sector 7 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a suspected arms trafficker and recovered weapons during an operation in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The Nigerian Army disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying the operation was carried out in the early hours of July 13, 2026, following intelligence on the movement of illicit arms from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State.

“Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of illicit arms from Jos, Plateau State, to Niger State, troops conducted a targeted stop-and-search operation in the early hours of Monday, 13 July 2026,” the army said. 

According to the statement, troops intercepted an ash-coloured Mercedes-Benz at the Samaru checkpoint in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area.

“A thorough search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of three locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and four submachine guns (SMGs) carefully concealed within the vehicle,” it said. 

The army said one suspect attempted to evade arrest and was shot while trying to escape.

It added that the suspect was immediately evacuated to the Sector 7 medical centre in Kafanchan, where he is currently receiving treatment.

“Preliminary findings indicate that the weapons were allegedly supplied by two suspected arms dealers based in Jos and were being transported to an intended recipient in Niger State,” the army said.

It added that the successful interception underscores the Nigerian Army’s firm resolve to disrupt arms proliferation and dismantle criminal networks that threaten national security.