Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting
A notorious female gunrunner and six other suspects have been arrested by operatives of the Zamfara Police Command.
The gunrunner, Gaje Abdullahi of Madachi village in Katsina State, was said to be supplying arms and ammunition to bandits, especially bandit leader, Dawa in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Mohammed Shehu, while addressing journalists on Thursday in Gusau, said the suspects were arrested for offences related to banditry, arms supply, intimidation to wit extortion in the state.
Shehu further said the police tactical team also rescued 15 kidnapped victims who had spent 50 days in captivity.
He revealed that those arrested for criminal conspiracy, intimidation to wit extortion included: Jamilu Mohammed of Gadar Manya village, Zayyanu Barmo of Manya Babba village, Abubakar Usman of Mandau Village, Lauwali Girkau of Girkau village, Sala Girkau of Girkau village and Abubakar Yahaya of Tungar Mani Village.
“On 29th November 2022 at about 1615hrs, Police Tactical operatives arrested 6 suspects who pretend as bandits to place levies on their host communities.
“As a result, they collected millions of Naira through a bank account they created for this purpose.
“In the course of investigation, all the suspects confessed to the crime and further stated that part of the activities was to send threatening messages to the villages to either pay money or face an attack.
“They further confessed of receiving millions of Naira from five different communities. Discreet investigation is ongoing aimed at apprehending other suspects that involve in this crime,” he said.
He added that “on the 29th of November 2022, Police Tactical Operatives acted on intelligence information and arrested the female suspect.
“The female suspect is a notorious gunrunner that specialises in transporting arms and ammunition to a notorious bandit kingpin Known as Dawa.”
He explained that the bandits’ kingpin has been terrorising the innocent people of Zamfara and neighbouring states.