Operation Sahel Sanity, a component of the military has revealed that its troops have neutralized three notorious armed bandits, arrested over nine and busted a syndicate of illegal arms dealers, in Sokoto, Katsina and Zamfara States.
Addressing newsmen at the Special Army super camp 4 in Faskari, Katsina state, the Acting Director, Defense Media operations, Brigadier- General Bernard Onyeuko explained that all the arrested illegal arms dealers are citizens of Niger Republic.
According to the Army spokesman, on August 15th 2020 after a painstaking undercover operation, troops successfully smashed the notorious illegal arms smuggling syndicate who he said specializes in massive arms supply to bandits in the North West from across the international borders.
“The trio of Alhaji Adamu Alhassan, Salisu Adamu and Abdullahi Sani all Nigerien citizens were intercepted by the eagle-eyed troops at Dantudu in Mailailai District of Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State with 6 AK 47 Rifles, 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2,415 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition deceptively concealed in various parts of their vehicle”
Brigadier General Onyeuko explained that preliminary investigation reveals that the dangerous consignment was meant for some bandits in Isah Local Government Area of Sokoto State which he said could have led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives but for the swift interception by the vigilant troops.
“However, one of the arrested arms supplier, Adamu Alhassan who is a diabetic and hypertensive experienced seizure and gave up the ghost while he was being rushed to the hospital”
“Nevertheless, investigation of the other accomplices continues to track and arrest all those in the chain of the heinous activity in collaboration with other intelligence and security agencies from our neighbouring countries”
He said on 12 August 2020, in a combined special clearance operation, troops destroyed 12 bandit camps at Yobe Baranda in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State, stressing that three bandits were neutralized in the process while others escaped with various degrees of gunshot wounds.
“Relatedly, on 12 August 2020, troops of Forward Operation Base Wanke arrested a suspected bandit named Shehu Abdullahi while spying on traders’ activities in the market with the aim of organizing for their kidnapping activities.
According to him, on the same day, 12 August 2020, troops on patrol arrested another bandit informant in Magami, area of Gusau in Zamfara State who puts his name as Umar Salisu.
“Furthermore, following the receipt of credible intelligence that some bandits were sighted at Danjibga Market, troops mobilized to the area and successfully arrested 5 suspected bandits namely Abubakar Ahmadu, Mohammed Bashir Tukur, Adamu Tahiyawo, Ibrahim Alhaji Haruna and Mohammed Yusuf”
“Also, on 14 August 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operations Base Kwantaragi arrested a bandit informant named Tukur Halilu at Mutukuda village in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Items recovered from him include 2 empty AK 47 Rifle magazines, 1 magazine carrier and a broken solar panel. Also same day troops at Forward Operations Base Anka arrested 2 bandits’ informants named Mohammed Bashir and Najibu Dalha in Wuya village of Anka Local Government Arwa of Zamfara State”
Onyeuko said that all arrested suspects are currently in their custody undergoing preliminary investigation before being forwarded to appropriate prosecuting authorities.
