From Maiharaji Altine
The Zamfara state police command has arrested eight suspects for banditry related offences, criminal conspiracy, robbery and fraud.
This was stated by the spokesperson of the police command SP Mohammed Shehu while parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Gusau last Wednesday.
Shehu said the police have also recovers 15 locally fabricated firearms, one 146 rounds of AK 47 ammunition, dried leafs suspected to be Indian helm and the sum N1 million as Exhibits.
He assured that the state Police Command under the leadership of CP Kolo Yusuf has continued to sustain its onslaught against the activities of criminal elements across the state.
According to Shehu, the onslaught, since its commencement had resulted in the unprecedented arrest of 250 suspects for banditry related cases as well as recovery of arms and ammunition ranging from AK 47, AK 49, rocket lunchers, RPGs, GPMGs, lar and other calibre of sophisticated rifles.
He maitained that the effort has helped tremendously in stabilizing the security of Zamfara state which was hitherto worrisome and disturbing.
He listed the followings as some of the recent achievements recorded by the command.
Recovery of abandoned 10 fabricated AK 47 rifles and three fabricated revolver pistol along Munhaye forest in Tsafe local government.
Shehu said, “Police Tactical operatives on confidence building patrol along Tsafe – Munhaye forest, acted on intelligence report and conducted a rigorous patrol/stop and search with a view to arresting some gun runners who were on their way to Munhaye forest to supply arms and ammunition to the bandits”.
“The gun runners on noticing Police presence, abandoned the sack containing the arms and ammunition and fled into the thick forest”.
“The Police operatives while on spot search, recovered the above mentioned exhibits”.
“Drag net has been sprayed to arrest the fleeing hoodlums”.
Arrest of three fraudsters who specialize in defrauding bank customers at various ATM machines in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara states.
Names of suspects:
1. Mohammed Ibrahim, aged 35 old of Shanono local government in Kano state, Ibrahim Salisu of Kumbotso local government area of Kano state and Adbul Aziz Mohammed also of Kumbotso local government area of Kano state.
Exhibits recovered from them included N1 million cash and one Honda Accord Anaconda.
He said, “On 24th January 2023, Police detectives acted based on complain by one Abubakar Lawali ‘M’ of Talata Mafara LGA”.
“That on same date, while at the Zenith Bank ATM Gallery Talata branch, the above mentioned suspects conspired and defrauded him of the sum of N1 million by withdrawing the amount from his account through a POS operator via his ATM Card”.
“According to the complainant, the suspects succeeded in their action when they offered to help him to make withdrawal when he could not make the transactions due to network problem”.
“They collected his ATM card and decietfully withdrew the money from POS operator”.
“In the course of interrogation, all the suspects confessed to the crime and further stated how they carried out similar fraud at different banks in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara States respectively”.
“The sum of N1 million cash belonging to the complainant and a suspected Honda Accord Anaconda Vehicle were recovered from them as exhibits”.
“Discreet investigation is in progress with a view to arresting other members of their gang and charge them to court for prosecution”.
Shehu also explained the arrest of three bandits informants in possession of dangerous drugs and other substances suspected to be Indian helm as well as being informants to bandits.
The suspects according to him included Murtala Musa of Kado village in Kaura-namoda local government, Mustapha Lawali of kasuwar Daji in Kaura-namoda local government, Sharhabilu Taju of Bella village in Bungudu local government.
Exhibits recovered from them was large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian helm.
He said, “On 24th January, 2023 Police detectives acted on intelligence report and arrested the above mentioned suspects who were both residing in Bela village under Bungudu LGA”.
“The suspects before their arrest were part of criminal syndicate that gave information to Bandits and also supplied all form of dried leaves suspected to be Indian helm and other dangerous drugs”.
“Their actions have continued to aggrevate Attacks, Kidnapping and killing of innocent people of Bungudu, Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji LGAs by the bandits”.
Another achievement was the arrest of a notorious criminal element, Ali Abdullahi of Gubuci village in Kaduna state who specializes in criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other act of criminalities.
Shehu explained that “On 23rd January, 2023, Police Operatives based on intelligence report arrested the above mentioned suspect”.
“The suspect has been a member of criminal syndicate that have been operating in Kaduna, Zamfara and other Neighbouring states”.
“In the course of Police investigation, the suspect confessed that, on several occasions, he and other members of their gang participated in the Kidnapping of unspecified number of people and collected millions of Naira as ransom from the relations of the victims”.
“He also confessed to have rustled unspecified number of cows and sheep. Suspect will be charged to Court for prosecution as soon as investigation is completed”.
Another suspect, Gaddafi Abdullahi aged 32 who is an indigene of Anka local government area of the state was arrested for criminal conspiracy, attempted culpable homicides.
Exhibit recovered from him according to Shehu included two locally fabricated firearms and two cartridges.
Shehu said ”On 22nd January, 2023, Police detectives acted on a complaint from the one Kasimu Abdullahi ‘m’ of of Anka arrested the above mentioned suspect for criminal conspiracy and attempted Culpable Homicide against the complainant”.
“While investigation was ongoing, the suspect was equally identified by the family members of late Abdullahi Nakwada for allegedly killing their father sometime in 2022”.
“The ongoing investigation revealed that the suspect was among the members of the outlawed group known as “Yansakai” who have been taking laws into their hands by intercepting and killing people and sometime rustling their animals on suspicion of being criminals without informing the police or any constituted authority”.
“Effort being intensified to arrest his gang members and charge them to court for prosecution”.
