Police Arrest Bandits’ Commander, Neutralize Five Others In Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has said it has arrested a notorious bandits commander, one Bello Rugga and neutralised five others during a raid in Gummi Local Government Area of the state.

The Zamfara State Police Commissioner, Mr Ayuba Elkanah, disclosed this on Saturday in Gusau while parading the kingpin alongside 21 other suspected bandits and their collaborators.

Elkannah said: “On Oct. 1, 2021, Police Tactical Operatives on Anti-Banditry Operation around Gummi axis, acted on intelligence report, stormed Gidan Bita, Malakar and Kagara forest, and arrested one notorious bandits commander, Bello Rugga.

“The suspect who happens to be a commander to a wanted bandits gang leader, popularly known as Turji.

“Rugga was in charge of Gummi, Gidan Bita, Malanjara and Kagara forest in Gummi LGA of the state.

“He has coordinated series of attacks in the area that led to the unwarranted killings of innocent people and kidnapping of many others for ransom,” he said.

According to the Zamfara Police boss, the suspect had many bandits under his command at the time of his arrest, adding that AK47 rifles and ammunition were recovered from him.

According to him, the suspect is currently in Police custody undergoing investigation.

Elkanah also paraded two other suspected bandits collaborators, adding they were arrested while conveying large consignments of drugs, bags of cannabis and petrol to the bandits’ camps.

Elkanah also said the suspects also named some other collaborators and point of delivery, saying that security operatives were trailing the suspects.

Those neutralised, according to Elkanah, were among the masterminds of many attacks in different parts of the state, especially Zamfara West Senatorial District.