Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Ayuba Elkanah, has said that the Command have nabbed a woman in possession of ammunition meant for notorious bandits.
Elkanah told the media that the Command in joint operations with other agencies arrested some notorious bandits, bandit’s collaborators/informants and other suspects.
The Commissioner revealed that following interrogations of the suspects arrested, the Police Tactical Operatives carried out tactical operations at different bandit’s enclaves in the State.
The operations led to a serious gun battle with the bandits where unspecified numbers of bandits were fatally injured with others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.
He said ten assorted AK-47 rifles with magazines containing one hundred and forty three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene.
Giving further details, Elkanah said, On 25th October, 2021 at about 0930hrs, Police Tactical Operatives of the Command in collaboration with FIB/STS led by DSP Hussaini Gimba on Tactical Operations in the State, arrested one Fatima Lawali ‘F’ a native of K/Namoda LGA who specialized in supplying arms and ammunition to Bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States respectively. Suspect was arrested at Gada Biyu area, under Bungudu LGA with nine hundred and ninety one (991) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition conveying from Dabagi Village in Sokoto State to be delivered to a notorious bandit’s kingpin called Ado Alero who has been terrorizing Zamfara and neighbouring states. Investigation in progress.
Also on the 5th November, 2021 at about 1400hrs, Police Operatives of the Command working in synergy with the FIB/STS operatives, acted on credible intelligence that led to the arrest of the above suspect who specialized in supply of Indian hemp and other illicit drugs to various bandit’s camps in Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger and Abuja axis. On interrogation, suspect confessed to the crime and that has led the operatives to swung into further action and recovered large quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp at Gwiwa Village of K/Namoda LGA. investigation is in progress.
Elkanah further said that “On 3rd November, 2021 Police Tactical Operatives of the Command along with operatives from FIB/STS Force Headquarters, Abuja led by DSP Hussaini Gimba arrested one Babuga Abubakar ‘M’ of Mayana area, Gusau LGA. The suspect was arrested in Gusau based on intelligence, that he has been collaborating with notorious bandits such as Lawali Na’eka ‘M’ a ring leader operating in Maradun LGA and Almeriya ‘M’ a notorious bandit’s kingpin operating in Bungudu. Upon interrogation, suspect confessed that prior to his arrest by the Police, himself, Lawali Na’eka and Almeriya conspired and went to Wanke village in Gusau LGA with over one hundred (100) operational motorcycles where they rustled over two hundred and forty (240) cows belonging to different individuals. Suspect is undergoing discreet investigation.”
“On 9th November, 2021 at about 2000hrs, Police Operatives working along with Zamfara State Task Force on enforcement of new security measures, while on patrol along Garejin Mailena area Gusau LGA, acted on intelligence information that led to the arrest of the above suspect.
“The suspect, who is a native of bakin Dutsi village a notorious bandit’s enclaves along Dangulbi road in Dansadau District of Maru LGA, came all the way to Gusau to purchase the items that reasonably suspected to be used by bandits. During interrogation, suspect mentioned names as his partners in crime who are known to be notorious bandits and have been terrorizing different communities along Dansadau and Magami axis. They are; Dandela ‘M’, Buga ‘M’, Ibrahim ‘M’ Smally ‘M’, Hussaini ‘M’, Lawali ‘M’, Malan Mai Sayen Shanu ‘M’, Mati Maidungu ‘M’, Saminu ‘M’ and Mairawani ‘M’ among others. Investigation is in progress aimed at arresting the above mentioned bandits for prosecution.” Elkanah revealed.
Again, on the 23rd November, 2021 at about 1920hrs, Police in T/Mafara Division received a distress call that some members of outlawed group (Yansakai) in T/Mafara LGA, picked a Fulani man to an unknown destination with intent to kill him. Police swung into action and rescued to victim, while one of the suspect was arrested and others escaped.
Similarly, the victim named Abubakar Abubakar ‘M’ aged 25 yrs old of Gidan Kade Village in T/Mafara LGA was extensively interrogated by the Police, but could not give a satisfactory account of himself.
Similarly, “On 24th November, 2021 at about 1500hrs, a complaint was received by the Police in T/Mafara LGA against the above mentioned suspect, that on the same date about 1400hrs, a good Samaritan sighted the suspect with the victim in a tight corner trying to remove her cloth and rape her, raised an alarm that led to the arrest of the suspect and brought him to the Station. Victim was taken to the hospital for medical examination. Investigation is in progress.” the Commissioner said.
In another development, “On 24th November, 2021 at about 1450hrs, the above named suspects were arrested by the Police in K/Namoda LGA. The suspects have specialized in terrorizing the people of K/Namoda by carrying out heinous crimes such as Armed Robbery, House/Shop breaking, snatching handsets and other valuables. Presently one Infinix handset valued sixteen thousand naira (N16,000) and one Radio cover of Keke Napep were recovered in their possession. Investigation is in progress to recover other exhibits they have stolen and possible receivers of the stolen items.” he added.
