From Maiharaji Altine, Gusau
Zamfara state police command, has arrested four persons for alleged killing of a Fulani herdsman, killed one bandit, arrested two and secured the release of eight kidnapped victims within the last three weeks.
Addressing journalists today the state’s police commissioner, Alhaji Abutu Yaro also said, 200 stolen cows, five AK 47 rifles, three vehicles and a large number of round ammunitions were recovered within the period.
He also stressed that, 15 persons were arrested in Shinkafi local government area of the state in possession of a dried substance suspected to be Indian hemp.
Explaining the achievements Abutu said “On 12th January, 2021 members of outlawed group (Yansakai) of kauyen kane village in Tsafe LGA attacked and killed a Fulani man by name Malan Babuga Danmallam ‘M’ of kunchin Kalgo”.
“On receipt of the report, Police in collaboration with District head of the village arrested the above named suspects in connection with the case. They are currently in Police custody undergoing investigation, they will be charged to court for prosecution”.
Explaining how the AK 47 rifles and other weapons were recovered, Abutu said, “On 24th December, 2020, our peace building initiative led to the unconditional surrendering of three (3) AK-47 rifles and forty seven (47) rounds of live ammunition to the Government Committee on disarmament that comprises, the Police, Military, DSS and the Ministry for Security and Home Affairs Zamfara State”.
“On 9th January, 2021, Police tactical unit attached to Operation Puff Adder in Kanoma District of Maru LGA acted on intelligence report and recovered an AK-47 rifle with four hundred and forty four (444) rounds of live ammunition abandoned under a tree by a suspected bandit and escaped into the forest”.
He maintained that, “Following the ongoing peace engagement in Shinkafi LGA , on 15th January, 2021, DPO Shinkafi in collaboration with leaders of the repentant bandits facilitated the unconditional release of one (1) AK-47 rifle with two (2) magazines and eighteen (18) rounds of live ammunition”.
He said, three people at Gidan Barga village and other three others at Dangajeru village in Keta District of Tsafe LGA have on 13th December, 2020 and 1st January, 2021 respectively been abducted.
According to him, the DPO in charge of Tsafe in collaboration with Tsafe peace Initiative Committee and some leaders of the repentant bandits facilitated the unconditional release of all the abducted victims hale and hearty.
“They were properly debriefed and reunited with their families”. Said police commissioner.
CP Abutu maintained that “On 23rd December, 2020, Police anti crime patrol team attached to “Operation Puff Adder” acted on intelligence report and raided a criminal hideouts at various areas and locations of Shinkafi town”.
According to him, 15 suspects arrested were fingered to have been terrorising the people of Shinkafi and it’s environs.
“Exhibits recovered includes, dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. All the suspects have been charged to court for prosecution”. Explained Abutu.
Another achievement recorded by the police command according to the commissioner was the arrest of some car snatchers.
He said On 4th January 2021, combined team of PMF/CTU stationed at Sabon Gida/Tazame along Gusau – Zaria Road Kotorkoshi, Bungudu LGA intercepted a Toyota sequo Jeep with reg. No. AKD 858 CG, driven by one Hassan Ibrahim”.
“On interrogation, the driver confessed that the vehicle was stolen from Port Harcourt in Rivers State and to be taken to sokoto. Suspect and exhibit have been transferred to SCID Gusau for discreet Investigation”.
Similarly, on the same date, same Police personnel intercepted a Tanker DAF CE with registration number ANC 61 XA driven by one Babangida Hussaini along Gusau – Tsafe Road”.
“The driver has confessed that the diesel was being diverted from Kaduna – Gusau, and he is currently undergoing investigation with a view to to fishing out his partners in crime before taken to court for prosecution”.
On the recovery of 200 stolen cows, Abutu said “ON 5th January, 2021, armed bandits went to Saminaka Community, an outskirt of Gusau town and rustled about 200 cows belonging to the community”.
“PMF personnel stationed along Gusau – Tsafe road were alerted, and they swung into action and perused the bandits who later abandoned the cows and escaped into the forest. All the cows recovered were returned to the said community”.
“On 13th January, 2021 DPO Gusau Central led a Policemen to Gidan Dawa area Gusau and recovered the above Vehicle following an intelligence report received from kano about a stolen Pontiac Vibe motor vehicle with reg. No. GWL 236 ST whose owner was suspected to have been kidnapped and his vehicle taken away. Investigation is in progress at SCID Gusau”.
“On 14th January, 2021, combine team of PMF/CTU personnel stationed at sabon Gida/Tazame KotorKoshi along Gusau – Zaria road led by ASP Murtala Ibrahim were alerted about an ongoing robbery along the highway”.
“The Policemen swung into action and proceeded to the scene and engaged the hoodlums to a gun duel. On the process, one of the armed robbers was killed while many others escaped with possible bullet wounds. Exhibits recovered includes; a locally fabricated gun and a Cutlass”.
Explaining how the two bandits were arrested he said “On 14th January, 2021, Mobile Police Personnel attached to “Operation Puff Adder” at yartasha village of Dansadau DISTRICT of Maru LGA acted on intelligence report and intercepted two suspected bandits who have been terrorizing the inhabitants of the area”.
He said two rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, two cutlasses, one Boxer Motorcycle, one MP3 Radio, two bags containing some clothes and shoes, two Tecno Handsets and the sum of N6,580 were recovered from them.
According to him the suspects were currently undergoing investigation and would be charged to court for prosecution.
CP Abutu maintained that in an effort to consolidate and advance the successes recorded through the ongoing peace initiative in the state, he has constituted a Police Peace and Implementation Committee headed by the Chief Imam of Zamfara State Police Command SP Alhassan Suleiman, assisted by the O/C SIB CSP Rufa’i Ahmad Nuhu and four (4) other Fulani speaking Police officers.
He said that, the mandate of the committee was to interact and dialogue with all warring parties especially Fulani bandits operating in different camps and locations in the state.
“The committee is also to facilitate the surrendering of arms and ammunition by repentant bandits. Providing religious interface such as Tafsir and Islamic re- orientation to the Fulani nationalities in the forests and pastoralists camps. Accessing peace through Islamic appeasement”. Said CP Abutu.
He thanked the Inspector-General of Police IGP Muhammad A. Adamu NPM mni, for giving the Command all necessary logistical support and encouragement to function effectively and restore public safety, public security and peace in Zamfara State.
CP Abutu also appreciated Governor Bello Matawalle for his doggedness and uncompromising attitude towards employing dialogue as a weapon to bringing lasting peace in the State.
He promised to continue with the peace Accord through engagement and interaction with all the stakeholders in the state in order to nip the state of all forms of militia groups, armed banditry and all other savagery in Zamfara State.
“I also made mention that my priority will be community participation in the act of achieving peace in the state. This is because the modern day policing, in this era of technology where the world has become a global village, community partnership and intelligence led policing is more than necessary”. Concluded CP Abutu.
