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By; ADAM MUH’D, Gusau
Zamfara State Police Command has arrested eight suspects for banditry related offences, criminal conspiracy, robbery and fraud.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Muhammad Shehu stated this on Wednesday, while parading the suspects to newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Gusau, the state capital.
According to him, exhibits recovered from them include, fifteen (15) locally fabricated firearms, one hundred and forty six rounds of AK 47 ammunition, dried leafs suspected to be Indian Hemp and the sum of one million Naira cash.
“The Zamfara State Police Command under the leadership of CP Kolo Yusuf Psc has continued to sustain it onslaught against the activities of criminal elements across the state.
“The onslaught since its commencement, has resulted in the unprecedented arrest of over two hundred and fifty suspects for banditry related cases, as well as recovery of arms and ammunition ranging from AK 47, AK 49, rocket launchers, RPGs, GPMGs and other calibre of sophisticated rifles”. He said.
SP Shehu noted that the effort has helped tremendously in stabilizing the security of Zamfara, which was hitherto worrisome and disturbing.
According to him, the police Tactical Operatives on confidence building patrol along Tsafe – Munhaye Forest, acted on intelligence report and conducted a rigorous patrol/stop and search with 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 conducting on the spot search, recovered the above mentioned exhibits and dragnet has been sprayed to arrest the fleeing hoodlums”. He revealed.
He added that the police has also arrested three fraudsters who specialize in defrauding bank customers at various ATM machines in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara states.
The suspects are, Mohammed Ibrahim of Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State and Ibrahim Salisu, Abdulazeez Mohammed of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State respectively.
Exhibits recovered from them include, one million Naira and one Honda Accord Anaconda.
“On 24th January 2023, Police detectives acted based on complaint 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 one million Naira by withdrawing same from his account through a POS operator via his ATM Card.
” The complainant said, 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 and collected his ATM card and deceitfully withdrew the money from POS operator”.
However, 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 one million Naira (#1,000,000) cash belonging to the complainant and a suspected Honda Accord Anaconda vehicle were recovered from them as exhibits.
Shehu stated that discreet investigation is in progress with a view to arresting other members of their gang and charging them to court for prosecution.
The command also arrested three bandits informants in possession of dangerous drugs and other substances suspected to be Indian Hemp.
The suspects are, Murtala Musa of Kado Village, Mustapha Lawal of Kasuwar Daji in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and Sharhabilu Tahu of Bela Village in Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State.
The command also arrested a notorious criminal, Ali Abdullahi of Buguchi Village in Kaduna State, who specializes in criminal conspiracy, kidnaping, cattle rustling and informant to bandits.
SP Shehu further revealed that the command has succeeded in the arrest of a suspect, one Gaddafi Abdullahi of Birnin Tudun Anka Village in Anka Local Government Area for criminal conspiracy, attempted homicide and another case of culpable homicide in Anka LGA.
Exhibits recovered from him comprised two locally fabricated firearms ands two cartridges.
“However, all the suspects confessed to the crimes they have committed and will soon be charge to court.” He declared.
