The Zamfara State Police Command has made significant progress in its ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities, with the arrest of eight suspected criminals, including a bandit, gun runner, and informants, in various coordinated operations across the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Yazid Abubakar, made this known while addressing the press at the police headquarters in Gusau.
He outlined the success of recent security operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements from the region.
“The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested eight suspected criminals, including a gun runner, bandit, and informants, from different operations carried out at various locations, to dislodge criminal elements,” Abubakar stated.
Among those apprehended was a 50-year-old suspected bandit, Ibrahim Mohammed, a native of Maru Local Government Area.
According to Abubakar, two informants, a gun runner, and five other suspects were also arrested in connection with various crimes.
The arrests were made following credible intelligence provided by members of the public.
Items recovered during the operations include several rifles, a stolen ATM card, leaves believed to be Indian hemp, and a Toyota Corolla vehicle, among others.
In a related incident, six people including women and children were killed on Thursday evening when armed bandits attacked a commercial vehicle traveling along the Kucheri-Wanzamai road in Tsafe Local Government Area.
The assault, which took place around 7 pm, also resulted in the abduction of several passengers.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred shortly after the daily security-imposed road closure by the Zamfara State Government, a measure aimed at curbing attacks on highways.
Sources said the 18-seater commercial bus had experienced a mechanical breakdown soon after it passed a military checkpoint.
After repairs, as the journey resumed, the driver reportedly noticed a group of motorcycles trailing the vehicle.
“They suddenly opened fire on the bus. Out of fear, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, somersault, and burst into flames,” a source revealed.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and efforts to rescue abducted victims and bring the perpetrators to justice have been intensified.
