Zamfara police make major breakthrough in fight against banditry
The Zamfara State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the fight against criminal activities in the state with the arrest of a notorious bandit, recovery of multiple firearms, and ongoing investigations into kidnapping and arms trafficking networks.
Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim B. Maikaba, made this known during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Gusau on Tuesday. He detailed the arrest of a high-profile suspect and the success of various recent operations targeting criminal gangs operating across the state and surrounding regions.
Suspected bandit ‘Akki’ arrested in Katsina
The police commissioner announced the arrest of Mohammed Dankani, popularly known by the alias ‘Akki’, a 57-year-old suspected bandit from Kuraje in Bungudu Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State.
Dankani was apprehended in Funtua, a town in neighbouring Katsina State, after being linked through intelligence reports to multiple incidents of kidnapping and armed attacks.
“During investigation, the suspect confessed to being part of the gang terrorizing Tsafe, Yandato, and Yanwarin Daji,” Maikaba told reporters. “He also admitted to being a member of the Kachalla Dan Goggo Gang, which has carried out numerous kidnappings in the Damba, Mareri, and Saminaka areas of Gusau LGA.”
The police described Dankani as a key player in the region’s armed banditry network, with connections to violent groups that have long disrupted peace and security in Zamfara and surrounding states.
Arms hidden in oranges intercepted on Gummi–Sokoto road
In a separate operation on September 15, police intercepted a Toyota Corolla vehicle along the Gummi–Sokoto road. During a search, officers discovered a cache of weapons concealed inside a sack of oranges.
Recovered items included:
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Four AK-47 rifles
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200 rounds of PKT ammunition
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28 rounds of AK-47 ammunition
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Four empty magazines
The driver, Nasiru Dawan Jiya, confessed that he was transporting the weapons to supply bandits in Gurusu village, a known hideout for criminal groups.
More firearms recovered in subsequent operations
The crackdown continued with another successful operation on September 19, when officers arrested two suspects on the Gusau–Sokoto highway. The suspects were found in possession of 18 fabricated firearms, raising concerns about the growing use of locally made weapons by criminal elements.
According to police, the firearms were intended for distribution to gangs operating in rural communities. The suspects are currently in custody and assisting with ongoing investigations.
Suspected drug trafficker caught with Indian hemp
In a related development, on September 14, the police Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Alhaji Shehu Aliyu in Gurusu village. He was found with nine large sacks containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Commissioner Maikaba described Aliyu as a repeat drug offender with over six years of criminal history related to drug trafficking.
“Such individuals fuel the activities of armed groups by supplying them with drugs,” the Commissioner said. “We are determined to cut off all supply chains enabling these criminal enterprises.”
Ongoing investigations and appeal for public support
Commissioner Maikaba confirmed that investigations are still ongoing to trace other members of the arrested suspects’ networks.
He also called on residents of Zamfara and neighbouring states to support the efforts of security agencies by providing credible and timely information.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” Maikaba said. “We urge members of the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activities in their communities.”
Conclusion
The recent arrests and seizures by the Zamfara State Police Command reflect a growing resolve by law enforcement to dismantle armed criminal networks in the region. As operations continue, authorities remain committed to restoring peace and ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law.
