The Zamfara State Police Command says its operatives have arrested eight people suspected to be supplying ammunition, military uniforms, motorcycles, and foodstuffs to bandits in the state.

Some of the arrested suspects were also said to have successfully negotiated and delivered several ransom from families to the kidnappers for a commission.

The Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Muhammad Shehu, told newsmen in Gusau, the state capital on Saturday that the suspects were arrested by the Police Tactical Squad in Gusau and Tsafe Local Government Areas.

Shehu said five of the suspects specialised in providing information, supplying military camouflage, and ammunition to the bandits.

“Police Tactical Operatives of the command acted on intelligence information about some suspected activities of a suspect, Zainu Lawali,” he said.

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He said Lawali, who claimed to be an ex-soldier, was arrested in possession of a locally fabricated revolver, military camouflage uniform, fake military I.D card, four cartridges, and other dangerous weapons.

The police spokesperson added that one of those arrested, Alhassan Lawali, had confessed to have supplied 14 new motorcycles to the bandits at the rate of N750,000 each.

Shehu stated that the operatives while on surveillance patrol along Gusau-KotorKoshi-Mada axis, intercepted a notorious bandit, Umar Manaro, who was terrorising people in Mada and Kotorkoki areas of the state.

“On spot search, one AK-49 and one Lar rifle and 174 round of live ammunition were recovered in his possession,” he added.

The police spokesman said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

The Star