The Zamfara State government, led by Governor Bello Matawalle, has confirmed that at least eighty people have been arrested for allegedly participating in banditry.
According to Akahi News, the suspects, including women, were captured by security agencies searching the state for criminal elements.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Abdullahi Shinkafi, Chairman of the Committee on Prosecution of Banditry and Related Offenses, provided details regarding the arrest, stating that the suspects were detained in connection with terror groups.
Shinkafi claims that some of them were directly involved in banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal firearm possession, while others were found to be informants, suppliers of food, drugs, military camouflage, and police uniforms to the terrorists.
Shinkafi went on to say that security agencies were already looking into how much they were involved in criminal activities in the state and the area around it.
Shinkafi stated, “Others have already been charged to face charges of their involvement.”
He went on to say that the Nigerian Air Force’s (NAF’s) bombardment of camps was the reason for the resurgence of banditry and kidnapping.
A number of the criminals, according to the chairman, were either eliminated or driven out of their hiding places.He confirmed that the government had suspended political rallies and campaigns as a result of insecurity.
Shinkafi spoke out against the recent murders that occurred in the local government areas of Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun, and Kaura Namoda.
The official added, “Government is also touched by the killings of some of our gallant security operatives who died in our defense.”