The Department of State Services (DSS) has intercepted a consignment of firearms and ammunition allegedly smuggled from the Niger Republic into Nigeria using camels.

The operation, which took place on Tuesday, November 10, at Dawakawa in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, followed a security operation targeting suspected arms trafficking networks operating along the Nigeria-Niger border.

According to a report by counter-insurgency publication, Zagazola Makama, the suspected smugglers had allegedly resorted to using camels to transport the weapons through remote routes and difficult terrain in an attempt to evade security surveillance.

Items recovered during the operation included 21 AK-47 rifles, four PKT machine guns and 825 magazines.

The publication described the interception as a significant disruption of an alleged cross-border arms supply network suspected of providing weapons to armed bandit groups operating in Nigeria's North-West region.

It noted that the use of camels underscored the unconventional methods allegedly employed by criminal networks to move weapons and ammunition across the country's porous borders.

Several communities along the Nigeria-Niger border have reportedly remained vulnerable to arms trafficking, bandit movements and other criminal activities.

In Sokoto State, the affected areas include Illela, Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu and Tangaza. Others are Jibia, Kaita, Mai'Adua and Kongolam in Katsina State; Zurmi and Shinkafi in Zamfara State; as well as Kamba and Arewa Dandi in Kebbi State.

The report identified porous borders, informal trading networks and difficult-to-monitor rural terrain as factors allegedly exploited by criminal groups, including bandits, Lakurawa and Boko Haram.

The recovered weapons are expected to provide security agencies with intelligence leads towards identifying the suppliers, transporters and intended recipients of the consignment.