In a major security breakthrough, the Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a large cache of military-grade weapons concealed in sacks of beans in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Two suspects, including a suspected arms dealer and a secondary school teacher, were arrested during the sting operation conducted along the Asaba–Onitsha Expressway.
According to DSS sources, the weapons — which included AK-47 rifles, general-purpose machine guns, hand grenades, and hundreds of rounds of live ammunition — were being transported to an undisclosed destination in Anambra State before operatives swooped in.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the arms were concealed inside food sacks to evade security checks. The suspects reportedly confessed that the consignment was intended for distribution to criminal gangs operating in the South-South and South-East regions.
A senior DSS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the seizure as a “major disruption of a coordinated arms supply network” believed to have been aiding violent crimes and communal unrest in the region.
“We acted on credible intelligence. The operation was swift, and we successfully intercepted the truck before it reached its destination. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network behind the supply chain,” the official said.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the DSS for the operation, describing it as a significant victory in the state’s ongoing fight against insecurity. He directed security agencies to intensify surveillance and joint patrols, especially along border towns and key transport routes.
“This operation has prevented what could have been a devastating escalation of violence. The safety of our citizens remains paramount,” Oborevwori said in a statement released by his media office.
Security experts have lauded the development, noting that the interception underscores the need for tighter border checks and intelligence coordination among agencies.
The suspects are currently in DSS custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
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