Parading the suspects at the command headquarters, the Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested on Monday in Niger State with the help of credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
He said, “Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals have been arrested.
“The arrest took place on Monday, February 12, 2024 at about 06:00hrs. The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bordering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.”
Giving more insights about the suspected bandits, the commandant explained, “Preliminary investigation by the corps revealed that they may not be miners as they presented but rather suspected bandits fleeing the ongoing onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council enroute Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.
“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.
“Further investigation revealed that this group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger States. At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggest they have a sinister agenda.”
Odumosu added that further actions would be taken after investigations on the arrested suspects were carried out.
“The suspects have been cooperating with the corps by giving useful information that will help determine their level of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT.
“When investigations are concluded and their level of involvement in crime is determined, necessary further actions will be taken,” he said.
In the same vein, the corps arrested four suspects belonging to a syndicate that specialized in vandalization and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.
