Zamfara State Police Command has arrested and paraded an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC in the state, ASC 11, Maikano S/Tasha, for allegedly supplying arms, ammunition, and drugs to bandits.

The arrest was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, Shehu Muhammad Dalijan, as part of the ongoing fight against banditry in the state.

Maikano was arrested with a large quantity of ammunition, including AK-47 rounds and anti-aircraft bullets, as well as drugs such as cannabis. He confessed to his involvement, saying, “Yes, I was caught with drugs and bullets on my way to the bandit camp, but this is the first time.”

He also accused fellow NSCDC officer, ASC 2 Aminu Musa, of being the main supplier of the illegal items to bandits responsible for various attacks across the state.

In another development, the police arrested Mamuda Sani Makakari, a fake doctor, with 441 bullets, saying that investigations revealed that Makakari had been providing medical services to bandits without any formal medical training.

The suspect admitted to selling medicine to bandits and their families, stating, “I am not a doctor or a health officer. I sell medicine in villages and neighbourhoods, including to them bandits”, he said.

The police also detained the wives of well-known bandit leaders, including the spouses of Kachalla Jijji and Bello Kaura. The women, along with their four children, are believed to have played significant roles in supporting their husbands’ criminal activities.

In another shocking development, a young man named Ashiru Hadi from Kurar Mota town was arrested for killing his grandmother after she refused to give him pumpkins grown in their backyard.

Additionally, the police arrested two notorious bandits: Aminu Tsauni, known for kidnapping and phone theft, and Salisu Hegen, a cattle rustler working under the notorious bandit leader Hassan Na-Bamamu.

Salisu admitted to his involvement in multiple cattle thefts, saying, “We only took part in stealing two people, but I can’t say how many times I took part in stealing cattle because there are many.”

The Commissioner of Police, Shehu Muhammad Dalijan stated that all the suspects have admitted to their crimes and will face prosecution once investigations are complete.

He assured the public that the police remain committed to eliminating criminal activities and restoring peace in Zamfara State.