Nigerian Army said, operatives of “Operation SAHEL SANITY” deployed at Forward Operation Base Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State on the 15th of August 2020 have discovered and arrested some notorious illegal arms smuggling syndicates who specialized in massive arms supply to bandits in the North West from across the international boarders.
In a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Operations, Brigadier General Benard Onyeuko said the three suspects arrested include Alhaji Adamu Alhassan, Salisu Adamu and Abdullahi Sani (all Nigerien citizens).
The Nigerian army said, they were intercepted by the Eagle Eye Troops at Dantudu in Mailailai District of Sabon Birni LGA of Sokoto State with 6 AK 47 Rifles, 3 AK 47 Rifle magazines and 2,415 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition deceptively concealed in various parts of their vehicle
The army spokes person said, preliminary investigation reveals that the dangerous consignment recovered from them was meant for delivery to some bandits in Isah local government area of Sokoto State which could have been used for a dangerous operations which may lead to the loss of lives and properties.
But the statement added that, one of the suspects, Alhaji Adamu Alhassan who was diabetic and hypertensive experienced seizure and died while he was being rushed to the hospital.
Brigadier Benerd however said, investigation of the other 2 accomplices by the Nigerian army in collaboration with other security intelligence outfits continues in order to track down and arrest all those in the chain of the heinous activity.
In a related development, on the 12th of August 2020, in a combined special clearance operation, troops destroyed 12 bandit camps at Yobe Baranda in Batsari local government area of Katsina State, 3 bandits were neutralized in the process while others escaped with various gunshot wounds.
Similarly according to the army, on the 12th of August 2020, troops of Forward Operation Base Wanke arrested a suspected bandit named Shehu Abdullahi while spying on traders activities in the market with the intent of organizing for their kidnap.
In same day, following the receipt of credible intelligence that some bandits were sighted at Danjibga Market, troops mobilized to the area and successfully arrested 5 suspected bandits namely Abubakar Ahmadu, Mohammed Bashir Tukur, Adamu Tahiyawo, Ibrahim Alhaji Haruna and Mohammed Yusuf.
On the 14th of August 2020, troops deployed at Forward Operation Base Kwantaragi arrested a bandit informant named Tukur Halilu at Mutukuda village in Maru LGA of Zamfara State. Items recovered from him include: 2 empty AK 47 Rifle magazines, 1 magazine carrier and a broken solar panel.
Also same day troops at Forward Operation Base Anka arrested 2 bandits’ informants named Mohammed Bashir and Najibu Dalha in Wuya village of Anka LGA of Zamfara State. All the arrested suspects are currently in custody of the Nigerian army undergoing preliminary investigation before being forwarded to appropriate prosecuting authorities.
The army spokesman while commending the general public for the unending support in making their operations a success he applauded the visit of the major stakeholders especially Chairman of Senate Committee on Army and his counterpart from the house of reps, Governors and traditional rulers for visiti the Faskari camp which they said has added a moral boost to the minds of the operating soldiers.
