Notorious Bandit, Informants Arrested In Zamfara

A notorious bandit and a six-man syndicate of informants have been arrested by operatives of the Zamfara Police Command.

The spokesperson of the command, Mohammed Shehu, made the disclosure while parading the suspects on Saturday at the Police Headquarters in Gusau, the state capital.

Shehu said the notorious bandit, Umar Namaro, has been terrorising residents of Mada and Kotorkoshi communities in the state.

He said the suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations conducted in some criminal hideouts in Gusau and Tsafe Local Government Area of the state respectively.

He said the bandit was arrested by the police Tactical Operatives along the Gusau– Kotor Koshi–Mada axis of the state and one AK-49 and one Lar rifle and 174 rounds of live ammunition were recovered in his possession.

He said: “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 crimes.

“On spot search, one AK-49 and one Lar rifle and 174 rounds of live ammunition were recovered in his possession. The suspect made important revelations that are currently assisting the Police investigation.”

Shehu said a fake military officer identified as Zainu Lawal, who supplied arms, ammunition, foodstuff, motorcycles and military uniforms to bandits in the forest, was arrested.

The police spokesman said items recovered from the fake soldier include a locally fabricated revolver gun, military camouflage uniform, fake military I.D Card and other dangerous weapons.

He said, “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.”