Police operatives in Zamfara have recovered live ammunition hidden in a groundnut sack which was thrown on the Funtua -Tsafe highway by fleeing armed bandits being trailed by Security operatives.
One Bandit Neutralised, six suspected armed bandits were also nabbed for various crimes and some of the suspects say they are being paid stipend out of huge ransom paid to their leaders
This is the first Successes recorded by the Zamfara police command in the year 2023 as the Suspects were arrested on first and second January
The Suspects are foot soldiers of some notorious bandit kingpins Bello Turji and Halilu Kachalla operating in Zamfara forests
Parading the Suspects at the police command in Gusau, some of the Suspects confessed to have participated in different attack on Communities and Kidnappings for ransom in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger and other Northern states
In a press statement signed by the Spokesperson of the Zamfara police command says among them are gunmen who blocked Yandoto – Tsafe road and abducted nine persons Including children on new year day
“Police Tactical operatives while on confidence building patrol/ Stop and Search acted on intelligence information that led to the arrest of some suspects namely Umaru Buba ‘M’ 21 Yrs Old of Baburasa Village in Kainji LGA of Niger State and Babuga Manu ‘M’ 20 Yrs Old of same address”
“In the course of interrogation by the Police, the suspects confessed of being into Kidnapping and Cattle Rustling in Various states such as Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Niger and other States in the North. The suspects further confessed of belonging to the gang of Bello Turji where they took part in the kidnapping of unspecified number of victims in which millions of Naira were collected as ransom” The statement said.
Another foot soldier of a Notorious bandit Kingpin Halilu Kachalla by name Musbahu Aminu ‘M’ 30 Yrs Old of Yabawa Village in Maradun LGA in Zamfara was arrested by troops
“On 1st January, 2023 at about 1330hours, Police Tactical operatives while on Confidence building patrol/Stop and Search arrested the above mentioned suspect” the police said
“The suspect while undergoing discreet investigation confessed of being a gang member of Bandit Kingpin Halilu Kachalla who operates in many in Zamfara and other neighboring States. The suspect further confessed of participating in several kidnapping and cattle rustling where millions of Naira were paid by victims relations as ransom” the Suspect Confessed.
The police statement further adds that live ammunition hidden in groundnut sack covered with clothes was intercepted
The Sack was thrown on the ever busy Gusau- Tsafe road by fleeing bandits been trailed by Security operatives
Police operatives in collaboration with other agencies also repel bandits attack on Maru & Gusau Local Government areas
“On 1st January 2023 , Police Tactical operatives while on confidence building patrol along Gusau – Magami – Dansadau Road received a distress call about bandits plan to block the road and attack commuters and by extension some villages”
“The Police operatives mobilized to the locations and engaged the bandits to a serious gun battle. Luckily enough, one of the bandits was neutralised and others were repelled by the superior fire power of the Police operatives, as such they retreated back to the forest with possible gun shot wounds. Two AK 47 Rifles, Two Magazines, 104 round of live ammunition and bunch of charms belonging to the bandits were recovered at the scene” the PPRO Said.
The police however noted that Discreet investigation is in progress and all the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution on completion of investigation
The police appeal to the General public to cooperate with security Operatives especially at stop and search points to checkmate activities of criminal elements
Despite efforts by Security operatives, to curb crime in Zamfara, there are still cases of abduction on some Communities and highways in recent times
