Popular Bandit, Mai Yanmata Arrested In Zamfara

A 20-year-old notorious bandit, Sani Mati, popularly known as Mai Yanmata, has been arrested by police operatives in Zamfara State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayuba Elkanah, made this known on Thursday while parading the suspect at the state command in Gusau, the state capital.

According to the state police boss, the bandit has been inflicting pain on residents of Zurmi, Shinkafi and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas of the state.

Elkanah disclosed that the suspect was arrested while attempting to block a highway in the state with the intent to unleash mayhem on commuters and abduct innocent citizens.

Naija News reports that Mati had operated under notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, before he joined another bandit kingpin, Kachalla Sani Black.

Speaking further, Elkanah stated that the bandit is currently undergoing discreet investigations and will be arraigned before a competent court of law, promising that the police will arrest his colleagues.

He disclosed items recovered from Mai Yanmata upon arrest as an AK-47 rifle, double Magazines, three rounds of live ammunition and one boxer motorcycle.

He said: “On December 26, 2021 at about 0500 hours, police tactical operatives deployed along Zurmi axis while on confidence-building patrol acted on an intelligence operation that led to the arrest of a notorious bandit named Sani Mati also known as Mai Yanmata,” the police commissioner said.

“The attempted bandit who was arrested while trying to block the road and kidnap innocent commuters at a village called Koliya, earlier belonged to a Turji camp but now operating under a notorious bandit kingpin Kachalla Sani Black who operates at Zurmi, Shinkafi axis respectively.”