Police in Nigeria’s northwestern Zamfara state have arrested three suspected members of an armed criminal gang, killed another during a raid, and recovered firearms and ammunition in an operation targeting bandit hideouts, authorities said on Sunday.
The Zamfara State Police Command said operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) carried out the operation on May 29 in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area following intelligence reports on the activities of a gang allegedly terrorising residents of the Kasuwan Daji area.
Police spokesperson Yazid Abubakar said in a statement that the suspects had been on the command’s watchlist over their alleged involvement in a series of criminal activities in the area.
The suspects were identified as Ali Bahago of Danakulu via Kasuwan Daji, Hassan Dan Kure of Kasuwan Daji, and Dahiru Lawali of Gidan Ango.
According to police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects belonged to an armed gang allegedly led by Bahago.
One suspected gang member was killed during the operation after resisting arrest, while the three others were taken into custody, the statement said.
A search of Bahago’s residence led to the recovery of a pump-action gun, a single-barrel gun, a locally fabricated G3 rifle, two Dane guns, four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, nine pump-action cartridges, a locally made pistol, a handcuff chain, a locally made magazine and three motorcycles, police said.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue and efforts are underway to track down other members of the gang and recover additional weapons, authorities said.
“The Command remains resolute and relentless until all criminal elements are identified, arrested, and brought to justice,” the statement quoted the police as saying.
Zamfara is one of several states in northwestern Nigeria affected by armed banditry, with criminal gangs frequently carrying out attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling in rural communities despite ongoing security operations.
