By Michael Chukwuebuka, Reporting
OPERATIVES of Zamfara State Police Command have arrested 10 suspected bandits’ informants during an operation conducted in some criminal hideouts in the state’s capital, Gusau, and Tsafe Local Government Area.
This was disclosed in a press statement made available by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Mohammed Shehu, which was made available to Stonix News, on Saturday.
Shehu said the tactical police operatives swiftly conducted an intelligence–led operations which brought about the arrests of the 10 suspects.
He said the suspects were paraded at the Police Command Headquarters, on Saturday, 17th of September, 2022, with arms, ammunition and other incriminating items found on them.
He said the suspects were apprehended separately on September 12, 14 and 16, 2022.
Shehu revealed six of the informants of armed bandits, who specialised in giving information to bandits, supply of arms/ammunition, military camouflage uniform, among others to include: 35-year-old Abubakar Mainasara, 30-year-old Babangida Mohammed (who was impersonating the military).
Others were Jamilu Amilu Kawali of Gusau, 37-year-old Lawal Ibraham, and Amadu Rufai.
The statement reads thus:
“On 12th September, 2022, the arrested suspects listed above are members of a notorious syndicate of informants who collaborate with Bandits to terrorize peace loving people of Gusau, K/Namoda, Tsafe, Bungudu LGAs and environs.
“The nefarious activities of this syndicate group were to give information to Bandits to make it easier for them to attack communities and kidnap people for ransom.
“It was equally part of their activities to collect millions of Naira to source for arms/ammunition and Military camouflage uniforms for the Bandits.
“Their recent dirty business was when one of the suspects Abubakar Mainasara ‘M’ A.K.A Major in his statement to the Police confessed of collecting the sum of Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N850, 000) from the bandits to source for military camouflage uniforms for them, a consignment that was given to Babangida A.K.A Major, who connived with one of their collaborators, a Tailor, one Jamilu Lawali ‘M’ of Gusau to source and sew the uniforms which at the end was delivered to the Bandits.
“The same suspect further confessed of collecting the sum of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) from Bandits to supply arms and ammunition for them, even though, two of his accomplices Lawal Ibrahim ‘M’ and Surajo Idris ‘M’ confirmed to the Police that the money given to the suspect was Six Million Naira (N6,000,000) for the arms deal consignment and not N2,000,000 naira.
“The sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) was given to same Babangida Soja ‘M’, who in turn gave only Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000) to Jamilu Lawali ‘M’, (Tailor) for the supply of the ammunition who at the end supplied Ten (10) rounds of AK-47 live ammunition which was handed over to Bandits through Babangida Soja and Abubakar Mainasara ‘M’
“Locally fabricated revolver gun, 4 Cartridge, fake military I D Card and one (1) Set of camouflage uniform
“On 14th September, 2022, Police Tactical Operatives from the Police Command headquarters acted on intelligence information about some suspected activities of the above mentioned suspect.
“The suspect, who claimed to be an ex-soldier, was arrested being in possession of a locally fabricated revolver Gun, Military camouflage uniform, fake Military I.D Card and other dangerous weapons.
“Discreet investigation is in progress to unravel the circumstance behind the illegal possession of firearms.
“On 14th September, 2022 Police Detectives acted on intelligence information that led to the arrest of the above named suspects. In the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to have supplied over fourteen (14) Operational Motorcycles to the Bandits in the forest at the rate of Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N750,000) each, of which he earned the sum of Fifteen Thousand Naira (N15,000) per motorcycle.
“The suspect further confessed that for over the years, he was the one repairing motorcycles for the bandits if spoilt.
“The suspect in his statement also mentioned one Mansur Usman ‘M’ as his collaborator who was later arrested by the Police.
“When interrogated, he confessed to had been supplying food stuff and deliver same to the bandits in the forest.
“He also confessed that for many times he collected and delivered ransom to the bandits.
“The last ransom he delivered was the sum of Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira (N2,300,000).
“On 16th September, 2022 at about 1400hrs, Police Tactical Operatives of the Command while on surveillance patrol along Gusau – Kotor Koshi – Mada axis, intercepted the above named bandit.
“In the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to be one of the notorious bandits terrorizing Mada and Kotor Koshi with banditry attacks, Kidnapping, Cattle Rustling and other heinous crime.
“On spot search, one AK-49 and one Lar rifles and 174 round of live ammunition were recovered in his possession.
“The suspect made important revelations that are currently assisting Police investigation.
“All the suspects will be charged to Court for Prosecution, upon completion of the investigation.”
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