FULL TEXT OF PRESS BRIEFING ZAMFARA STATE POLICE COMMAND ON OCTOBER 2, 2021
PRESS BRIEFING BY SP MUHAMMED SHEHU ANIPR POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER ZAMFARA STATE POLICE COMMAND ON 2nd October, 2021 AT THE POLICE COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, GUSAU.
Good morning gentlemen of the press, on behalf of the commissioner of police zamfara state Command , CP Ayuba N. Elkanah pcs+, it is my pleasure to welcome you to another press briefing regarding the achievements of the the command in the ongiong enforcement of the new security measures.
Since the implementation of the new security measures by His Excellecy Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle MON, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State one month ago, the Police and other security agencies such as the Military, DSS and civil Defence have been carrying out assults on identified bandits locations with a view to ensuring that the state is completely rid of activities of recalcitrant bandits and other criminal elements in the State .
As a result of the security agencies commitment and sacrifice, tremendous achievements have been recorded by each of the security agency. Fortunately, attacks, killings and abduction have reduced drastically. The measures also assisted in no small measures towards denying the recalcitrant bandits access to food supply, fuel supply, indian hemp/other hard drugs supply and other assential services that are inevitable to their survival. Similarly, payment of ransome to bandits by the relations of the kidnapped victims has now stopped due to the effective enforcement of the security measures where communication between the bandits and their informants became impossible. Under this situation, kidnapped victims have now become liabilities for the bandits and are being released unconditionally following an extensive search and rescue operations.
On the effect of the new security measures to communities in the urban areas, the Police Command has succeeded in curtailing the rampant cases of abduction, armed robbery, car snatching, Burglary and house breaking and other heinous crimes.
Gentlemen of the press, the ongiong operation by police and other security agencies in the state stabilises many villages and communities that were hitherto under threat and apprehension of the bandits. Criminal elements especially bandits are no longer finding it comfortable to operate, informants to the bandits are not having access to the bandits who relied so much on their information to commit dastardly act against the innocent people of the state. The police through the ongiong operation also succeeded in the arrest of twenty one (21) notorious armed bandits at various locations of the state, five (5) bandits were also neutralized during the operations. Police equally repelled four (4) different attacks with many bandits suffered heavy casualties. Many informants to the Bandits were arrested, investigated and prosecuted.
Similarly, over two hundred kidnapped victims were rescued at various locations, debriefed and reunited with their families.
Apart from the achievements of other security agencies in the state, the following arrest and recoveries mostly bandits collaborators were made by zamfara state Police Command and will be showcased to the press for onward transmission to the members of the public. as reflected hereunder
ARREST OF TWO SUSPECTED BANDITS AT MAGARYA VILLAGE IN ZURMI LGA.
On 29th September, 2021, Police Tactical operatives deployed along magarya and yan Buki axis in Zurmi LGA arrested two suspected bandits, namely; Abdullahi Mohammed and Jabiru Adamu. The suspects were arrested while coming out from a location where bandits Camp are located. During interrogation, one of the suspect Abdullahi Mohammed confessed to be hired all the way from Adamawa State by a bandit kingpin herbanating at Yar Galadima forest in Dansadau emirate. His revelations are assisting police investigation across the state to conduct an extensive operation against the recalcitrant bandits.
ARREST OF SIX (6) SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, SHOP BREAKING IN GUSAU AND CONCEALMENT OF STOLEN PROPERTY.
NAME OF SUSPECTS:
I. Abdulazeez Rilwanu
ii. Usman Bashir
iii. Ahmed Tanimu
iv. Yusuf Zubairu
v. Rilwanu Yahaya
vi. Bello Shehu
EXHIBIT RECOVERED: The cash sum of one million, one hundred and ninety thousand naira.
On 25th September, 2021, at about 0200hrs the above named suspects broke into the provision store of one Alh. Umar Isah ‘M’ of old market area Gusau and stole the sum of Four Million naira (#4,000,000) cash. Police operatives on extensive crime prevention patrol within Gusau metropolis were alerted on the incident. They quickly swung into action and arrested six (6) suspects in connection with the crime as stated above. During preliminary interrogation, all the suspects confessed to have committed the offence. However, the sum of one Million one hundred and ninety thousand naira was recovered from them as part of the stolen money. Discreet investigation is in progress at the State CIID with a view to arresting members of their gang, and then charge to court for prosecution.
ARREST OF SIX (6) SUSPECTS IN CONNECTION WITH BELONGING TO GANG OF BRIGANDS AT SHINKAFI LGA.
NAME OF SUSPECTS: Isah Usman and 5 others
EXHIBIT RECOVERE: One locally fabricated Gun
On 18th September, 2021, a local Vigilante group on surveillance patrol at the outskirt of Shinkafi town intercepted three out of six (6) suspects and handed them over to the police for discreet investigation. In the course of interrogation, the three suspects earlier arrested namely:-Samaila Ibrahim, Isah Usman and Nafi’u Muhammed confessed to be bandits. While other three suspects who were mentioned in the case denied their involvement. Discreet investigation is in progress, and all the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
ARREST OF INFORMANT TO BANDITS AND ALSO A SUPPLIER OF PATROL AND DIESEL TO BANDITS IN THE FOREST.
NAME OF SUSPECT: Manor Haruna ‘M’ of Wanzamai in Tsafe LGA
EXHIBIT RECOVERED: 4 Jerri cans Full of Diesel.
Police operatives on enforcement of new security measures duty acted on intelligence information and arrested the above named suspect with four Jerri cans of Diesel which were purchased from Kaduna State and were to be supplied to the bandits at their camp. Further intelligence revealed that the suspect was the one who went to the bandits Camp and installed a Generator that is using Diesel. Hence, access to fuel by bandits become difficult. The communities also accused him of being an informant of the bandits on who is to be abducted, attacked and killed. Investigation is in progress at the state CIID with a view to arresting other members of his gang.
ARREST OF TWO (2) SUSPECTS WHO SUPPLY FOOD ITEMS TO THE BANDITS IN THE FOREST.
NAME OF SUSPECT: Bilyaminu Usman and Abbas Garba both ‘M’ of Wanzamai Village in Tsafe LGA
EXHIBIT RECOVERED: One Bag of Maize
On 29th September, 2021, Police operatives stationed at Yankara border in Tsafe LGA, and also mandated to enforce the new security measures, acted on reliable information and arrested Bilyaminu Usman carrying a bag of maize which was purchased at Yankara Market in Katsina State, and was to be taken to the bandits in the bush. When interrogated, he confessed to have purchased the maize at Yankara Market in Katsina State and deliver it to unidentified person at Wanzamai Village. While the second suspect Abbas Garba was arrested on information that he cooks food and taken it to the bandits in the bush which contravenes the new security measures of the state Government on illegal transportation and supply of food items in and out of the state. Suspects are being profiled at the state CIID for further arrest and prosecution.
ARREST OF THREE (3) BANDITS COLLABORATORS WHO SUPPLY FOOD ITEMS AND DRUGS TO THE BANDITS IN THE BUSH.
NAME OF SUSPECTS:
i. Jafaru Ahmed ‘M’
ii. Gambo Muhammed
iii. Hadiza Adamu ‘F’
EXHIBIT RECOVERED:
i. Flour of Grinded Millet
ii. Two (2) packet of maggic cube
iii. Three (3) packet of cigarette
iv. One lighter
v. Palm oil
On 23rd September, 2021, Police operatives on enforcement of new security measures duty at fegin area Tsafe, acted on intelligence report from the communities and arrested Jafaru Ahmed in possession with the above named Exhibits which were to be supplied to bandits in the bush. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to have been fraternizing with the bandits by supplying drugs and other essential commodities to the bandits enclaves. He further indicted the two (2) suspects now arrested as his partners in crime. Discreet investigation is in progress with a view to effecting further breakthrough.
ARREST OF TWELVE (12) SUSPECTS FOR CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, MISCHIEF BY FIRE AND THIEF AT IDPS CAMP AND THE HOUSE OF FORMER SSG HON. BALA BELLO MARU.
NAME OF SUSPECT: Yakubu Ta’ale and 11 others
EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. Six (6) Mudu of Guinea corn
ii. Six (6) mudu of millet
iii. Burnt part of Motorcycle
iv. One Boxer of Motorcycle
v. One sack of Samira
vi. 17 Fanteka
vii. 2 pots.
On 16th September, 2021, Some unscrupulous elements who are sabotaging the effort of His Excellecy and the security agencies to restore lasting peace in the state went to an IDPS camp and residence of the former SSG in Maru and set the two places ablaze. The suspects also used the opportunity and looted the properties belonging to the IDPS and the former SSG. On receipt of the report, police swung into action and arrested the above mention suspects and equally recovered the above exhibits. All the suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.
ARREST OF A SUSPECT IN A CASE OF CONSPIRACY AND BEING IN POSSESSION OF DRY LEAVES SUSPECTED TO BE INDIAN HEMP ALONG BUNGUDU – GUSAU ROAD.
NAME OF SUSPECT: Ibrahim lawal ‘M’ Dan Turai area Gusau.
EXHIBIT RECOVERED:
i. 6.2kg of indian hemp
ii. Twelve (12) packs of Benzhexol tablet (500 tablet each) 5mg.
On 27th September, 2021, Police operatives attached to Bungudu Division on Tactical stop and search duty along Bungudu- Gusau road acted on intelligence information and intercepted a Golf vehicle, Black in color with registration number GUS-864- XA driven by the suspect from Sokoto to Gusau. On reaching police Tactical point at Bungudu, the vehicle was stopped for search. In the process, a passenger who was suspected to own the above exhibits escaped through the door of the vehicle and ran into the bush. The vehicle was properly searched and above mentioned exhibits which were to be taken to the bandits at Dansadau forest recovered. The driver of the vehicle is undergoing discreet investigation at the State CIID.
ARREST OF A SUSPECT WHO SUPPLIES DANGERIOUS DRUGS AND OTHER INTOXICATING SUBSTANCES TO THE BANDITS IN THE BUSH.
NAME OF SUSPECT: Mukhtar Rilwan ‘M’
EXHIBIT RECOVERED: Two (2) Bags containing assorted Drugs such as:-
i. Syringes
ii. Oral Rehydration salt
iii. Diclofenac Potassium Tablets
iv. Artemeter injection (for Malaria)
v. Paracetamol
vi. Unidexal- 9 saline and others
vii. Provisions such as klin detergent, powder sugar.
On 29th September, 2021, Police operatives in collaboration with a joint Task force for the enforcement of new security measures acted on intelligence report and arrested the above named suspect in possession with two (2) different bags containing hard drugs which were to be supplied to bandits in the forest. In the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to be bandits collaborator who has been supplying drugs to various bandits enclaves in the state. Suspect had since been charged to court and he is now in prison facility.
ARREST OF TWELVE (12) OUTLAWED GROUP KNOWN AS “YANSAKAI” FOR THE OFFENCES OF CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, CULPABLE HUMICIDE AND ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF FIRE ARMS.
NAME OF SUSPECTS:
i. Shuaibu Zubairu
ii. Tambai Nagagara
iii. Ibrahim Na Gusau
iv. Anas Abubakar
v. Saminu Salisu
vi. Zaharaddeen Lawali
vii. Sharhabilu Umar
viii. Abbas Abubakar
ix . Abubakar Yusuf
x. Ashiru Ibrahim
xi. Sani Abdullahi
xii. Mustapha Abubakar
EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
i. Fabricated Ak-47
ii. Cutlasses
iii. Sticks.
On the 26th September, 2021, at about 2300hrs, unknown people suspected to be outlawed group also known as “Yansakai” armed themselves with a locally fabricated Ak-47 rifle, cutlasses and charms, blocked Chakal and Birnin Magaji road and attacked one Yahaya Hassan age 35years ‘M’ of Mai Kuru Village via Birnin Magaji LGA, inflicted machete cuts on his body which resulted to his death. The police operatives of the Command acted on intelligence report and intercepted twelve (12) suspects in connection with the crime. During interrogation the suspects confessed to have conspired in killing the victim. Suspects have been charged to court and they are in prison custody.
ARREST OF BANDITS COLLABORATOR AT SAMINAKA AREA OF GUSAU METROPOLIS
NAME OF SUSPECT: Dan Hajiya.
EXHIBIT RECOVERED: NILL.
ON 1st October, 2021, at about 1700hrs DPO T/WADA Division and his Tactical operatives acted on intelligence report and stormed the House of the suspect located at Saminaka area Gusau and arrested him in connection with harboring bandits and other criminal elements in his house. Intelligence further revealed that the suspect had been harboring notorious bandit who has been terrorizing both Bungudu and Gusau LGA. Recently, a bandits sustained gunshot injuries and rushed to the house of the suspect, until he got medical treatment and left to the forest. The suspect is being profiled by the police with view to arrest his gang members.
SP Mohammed Shehu ANIPR,
PPRO,
For :- Commissioner of Police,
Zamfara State Command
Gusau.
