Police in Kebbi State said today that officers deployed under Operation Restore Peace have arrested five suspected bandits and recovered a cache of arms and cash during a night operation in the Zuru area.
The command said the arrests were made by personnel of the No. 36 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Birnin Kebbi, following a tip-off about bandit activities along the Zuru–Tadurga road.
According to the police, the operation took place in the early hours of November 16 at around 0100 hours.
The suspects were intercepted and apprehended while travelling through the area, the statement added.
Police identified the five men as Bako Aliyu of Nanarki village, Sani Alaramma of Wawan Icce village, Umaru Tafsi of Birnin Tudu village, Mamman Sani Danzakara of Mallamawa village and Lawali Sani of Birnin Tudu village.
All the suspects, the command said, hail from Bukkuyum and Gummi local government areas of neighbouring Zamfara State.
They are “reasonably suspected” to have links to recent attacks recorded in the Zuru axis, the statement noted.
During preliminary questioning, officers recovered several weapons allegedly found in the possession of the suspects.
Recovered items include seven fabricated AK-47 rifles, one locally made pistol and three Dane guns.
Police also listed three AK-47 magazines, 43 rounds of 7.62×39mm live ammunition and 46 live cartridges among the seized materials.
Two empty shells of 7.62×39mm ammunition were also collected as exhibits from the suspects.
The command further disclosed that officers recovered ₦2,623,900 in cash during the operation.
Police said the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi for deeper investigation.
The inquiry aims to determine the suspects’ modus operandi and identify other members of their alleged syndicate.
Kebbi State Commissioner of Police Bello M. Sani praised the Mobile Force squadron for what he called their professionalism and determination.
He urged operatives to sustain their efforts until banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes are eliminated from the state.
The commissioner appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
