Police arrest over 12 suspected bandits, recover AK47 rifles, others

The Zamfara State Police Command says its police tactical teams have arrested over twelve suspected bandits and their informants including one 30 years old woman.

Addressing newsmen at the Command’s headquarters, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ayuba Elkananh said the tactical team is working in collaboration with the operatives of the Zamfara State Police Command in the ongoing Police operations across the State.

The Commissioner said the police tactical teams have made a lot of arrests and recovered arms and ammunition from the bandits and their collaborators.

“While we parade some of the suspects arrested having completed their investigation, others who are undergoing discreet investigation cannot be paraded now until investigation about their matter is concluded”

“The operations led to a serious gun battle with the bandits where unspecified numbers of bandits were fatally injured while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds”

“Ten assorted AK-47 rifles with magazines containing one hundred and forty-three rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the scene. One suspect, a 30-year-old woman, Fatima Lawali was arrested with 991/rounds of live ammunition of AK47 rifle”

The Commissioner, Fatima Lawali, a native of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area who specialized in supplying arms and ammunition to bandits in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States respectively.

“The suspect was arrested at Gada Biyu area in Bungudu Local Government Area with 991 rounds of AK-47 live ammunitions 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”

“However, another suspect, Bello Mu’azu, suspected to be supplying information and logistics to bandits in the northwest States.

“The suspect was arrested in Gusau based on intelligence, that he has been collaborating with notorious bandits such as Lawali Na’eka a ring leader operating in Maradun Local Government Area and Almeriya, a notorious bandit kingpin operating in Bungudu Local Government Area of state”

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that prior to his arrest by the Police, he, Lawali Na’eka and Almeriya conspired and went to Wanke village in Gusau Local Government Area with over one hundred operational motorcycles where they rustled over two hundred and forty cows belonging to different individuals ”

Mr. Elkanah said another bandit informant, Lawali Kabiru was also arrested for giving information to a bandit kingpin named Dan Dela, saying that many items were recovered from him including handsets.

” Police Operatives working with Zamfara State Task Force on enforcement of new security measures, while on patrol along the Garejin Mailena area Gusau Local Government Area, acted on the intelligence 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 Local Government Area, came all the way to Gusau to purchase the items that are 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 Buga, Ibrahim Smally, Hussaini, Lawali, Malan Mai Sayen Shanu ‘M’, Mati Maidungu, Saminu and Mairawani among others.

”An investigation aimed at arresting the mentioned bandits for prosecution is in progress”