In a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry, the Zamfara State Police Command has apprehended an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly supplying arms, ammunition, and drugs to bandits in the state.
The arrest was announced by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dalijan, during the parade of suspects at the command headquarters in Gusau, Zamfara State. Among those arrested were a fake doctor and two wives of notorious bandit leaders, who were allegedly en route to deliver ammunition to the bandits.
The NSCDC officer, identified as ACS II Maikano S/Tasha, was reportedly caught with a large cache of ammunition, including AK-47 rounds and anti-aircraft bullets, as well as illegal drugs such as cannabis.
According to CP Dalijan, Maikano had previously been arrested two years ago but was released. This time, Dalijan assured that Maikano would not evade justice under his watch.
“One of the unfortunate incidents we are dealing with is the arrest of a Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps officer found in possession of arms and drugs intended for delivery to bandits in the Mada area,” CP Dalijan stated.
“He has been arrested with ammunition and Indian hemp, which he was transporting to the bandits in the bush. He is a collaborator and will be treated as such.”
The command also arrested Mamuda Sani Makakari, a fake doctor, who was found with 441 live rounds of ammunition. Investigations revealed that Makakari had been providing medical services to the bandits without any formal medical training.
He was apprehended alongside several women and children, carrying live ammunition to be delivered to bandits in the Anka Local Government Area.
Among the detained women were the wives of well-known bandit leaders, including Kachalla Jijji and Bello Kaura. “These women were apprehended while on their way to deliver ammunition to bandits in Anka and Bukkuyum,” said CP Dalijan.
The police commissioner expressed concern over the increasing use of women in hijabs to transport arms and ammunition across the state. “Our main concern now is the involvement of women in hijabs in smuggling weapons to the bandits. We are left with no choice but to search all women traveling in the state, regardless of whether they are wearing a hijab,” he explained. “We will ensure that women search women, but any woman on our roads must undergo thorough checks.”
CP Dalijan further revealed that the husbands of the detained women had issued threats of retaliation against local communities and police formations if the women were not released. “We are taking measures to protect our personnel and the public from potential attacks. The women will not be released under any circumstances. If they [the bandits] attack, we will respond accordingly,” the commissioner declared.
Additionally, the police arrested two notorious bandits: Aminu Tsauni, infamous for kidnapping and phone theft, and Salisu Hegen, a cattle rustler working under the notorious bandit leader Hassan Na-Bamamu.
All suspects have reportedly confessed to their crimes and will be prosecuted following the completion of investigations. CP Dalijan reassured the public of the police force’s continued commitment to combating crime and restoring peace in Zamfara State.
