NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states – Newstrends
Connect with us

metro

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

Published

1 year ago

on

Federal Capital Territory (FCT), NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

The Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has apprehended 42 suspected bandits and terrorists masquerading as miners.

This was revealed on Wednesday by FCT NSCDC Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Odumosu stated that the operation was conducted on Monday, February 12, 2024, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 176 Guards Battalion at Tsaumi Village in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to him, the suspected bandits were found with sharp objects like daggers, knives and cutlasses. He noted that preliminary investigations by the Corps revealed that the apprehended individuals were likely fleeing military operations in Zamfara State.

The commandant said that despite the bandits claiming to be miners, they failed to provide evidence of their purported mining activities. He noted that the suspects confessed to having sponsors, prompting further ongoing investigations.

“I am happy to announce to you today that the charge is paying off. Acting on credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army, 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals have been arrested. The arrest took place on Monday, 11th February, 2024 at about 0600hrs.

READ ALSO:

“The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

“Preliminary investigation by the Corps revealed that they may not be miners as they presented but rather suspected bandits fleeing the on-going onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council enroute Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.

“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for.

“Further investigation revealed that this group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger States. At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities which suggest they have a sinister agenda.

“They have also confessed to having sponsors, however investigation in that regard is still on going and you will be intimated when it is concluded.

“The suspects have been cooperating with the corps by giving useful information that will help determine their level of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT. When investigations are concluded and their level of involvement in crime is determined, necessary further actions will be taken.”

In a separate operation, the command in collaboration with the Department of State Security Services (DSS) led the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a 27-year old from Kaduna State.

Anthony was apprehended in the Mabushi axis of the FCT with incriminating exhibits, including pieces of armored cables, a hacksaw, a jack knife, a Techno Bolton handset, and ₦20,000 in cash.

Odumosu further disclosed that Anthony’s statement uncovered three of his accomplices – Hakilu Muhammed, Abdulrahaman Abbas, and Samila Promise – all members of a syndicate invovled in the vandalisation and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

He stated that the arrested suspects, linked to a vigilante group, will soon face court proceedings.

READ ALSO:

“In the same vein our operational synergy with the men of Department of state security services led to the arrest of one Bartholomew Anthony, a male, 27yeaars old from kaura Local government area of Kaduna State. He was arrested at the mabushi axis of the FCT.
The said Bartholomew Anthony was arrested with the following exhibits… Pieces of Armoured cables, 1 hacksaw, 1 Jack knife, 1 Techno Bolton handset and Twenty (₦20,000) Thousand Naira cash.

“The suspect made useful statement that lead our operatives to arrest three of his other accomplices: Hakilu Muhammed ”M” 25 yers old from shango LGA Niger state, Abdulrahaman Abbas “M” 30 Yers old from Unguwan sarki Piako LGA, Niger state, Samila Promise “M” 20 YERS OLD from karim limido, Pitiko LGA, Taraba state all four arrested suspects belong to a syndicate that specialize in vandalization and theft of armoured cables in the FCT.

“The suspects through our discreet investigators, belong to a vigilante group and hence use their purported membership of the security outfit to commit heinous acts. We have profiled them and their statements obtained, they will soon be arraigned in court for justice to prevail,” the Commandant said.

Odumosu assured residents of the FCT that relentless efforts will be made to eradicate criminal elements within the territory and encouraged the public to report any suspicious individuals, while emphasizing the collective responsibility for maintaining security in the region.

He said, “I want to assure the residence of the FCT that we will not rest on our oars until we rid the FCT of all criminal elements that want to make the FCT unsafe for habitation. I want to also appeal to the general public to report all suspicious persons, as security is everyone’s business.”

Recall that the Commandant had summoned Heads of Intelligence teams, Area Commanders and all Divisional Officers to a meeting in order to review strategies over the current trends in the security situation in(FCT).

During the meeting, he charged the officers and men of the NSCDC to step up their game against criminal elements within the territory using intelligence gathering.

NSCDC arrests 42 bandits masquerading as miners across Zamfara, Kogi, Niger states

Related Topics:
Advertisement

metro

Tinubu tried to silence me with EFCC – Ex-NHIS boss Yusuf

Published

20 minutes ago

on

April 27, 2025

By

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf

Tinubu tried to silence me with EFCC – Ex-NHIS boss Yusuf

Former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), Professor Usman Yusuf, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of weaponising the EFCC to silence him, alleging he was treated like a criminal for criticising the government.

Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Sunday, Yusuf alleged that his recent detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was part of a deliberate attempt to silence him. “This government deliberately denied me bail to shake me up… all to try and silence me. But I am not someone who can be silenced,” he said.

In February, the EFCC arraigned Yusuf before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a five-count charge of alleged fraud. He pleaded not guilty.

Recounting the events that led to his detention, Yusuf said EFCC operatives stormed his home on 29 January without presenting an arrest warrant. “They walked into the house and said they wanted to see me, claiming I was expecting them. They only later showed their badges,” he said.

READ ALSO:

He described how the operatives prevented him from changing clothes and blocked his wife from providing him with alternative clothing. Yusuf also recounted how, during transport, officers treated him “as if they had captured a notorious criminal like Kachalla Bello Turji,” a notorious bandit leader.

Yusuf spent six days in EFCC custody before his arraignment and was subsequently denied bail, a move he said was unconstitutional. “Bail is a constitutionally guaranteed right for any accused person, except in cases of capital offences or terrorism, and my case was neither,” he said.

The denial of bail forced Yusuf to spend an additional 24 days at Kuje Prison. He characterised his imprisonment as a period of “retreat for rest, prayers, and reflection,” insisting it only strengthened his spirit.

“The whole purpose was for the government of President Bola Tinubu to try to silence any form of dissent,” Yusuf said. “This is coming from a president who himself was once a NADECO activist — someone who fought against the military dictatorship.”

He warned that the current administration is attempting to stifle democratic criticism and create a “one-party dictatorial state.”

Yusuf was appointed executive secretary of the NHIS in 2016 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. He was suspended in 2017 and again in 2018 by the health minister and the NHIS board over allegations of corruption, and was eventually removed from office in 2019.

Tinubu tried to silence me with EFCC – Ex-NHIS boss Yusuf

Continue Reading

metro

NDLEA discovers N1.04bn drugs in Lagos hotel

Published

50 minutes ago

on

April 27, 2025

By

NDLEA discovers N1.04bn drugs in Lagos hotel

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have raided an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, which was allegedly being used as a front for the distribution of illegal drugs.

After an extensive search, agents reportedly recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud, a potent cannabis strain, totaling 417.3 kilograms. The haul is valued at approximately One Billion Forty-Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (₦1,042,500,000) on the street.

In a statement released on Sunday, NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi confirmed the arrests of three individuals during the operation, which took place between Friday, April 25th, and Saturday, April 26th, 2025.

The suspects—Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh—were detained in the raid at the five-storey building, located in Victoria Island. Two other individuals, Noble Philip and his accomplice Kenneth, were said to be currently being sought by authorities.

READ ALSO:

The NDLEA also disclosed that items believed to be linked to the alleged drug trafficking were seized from the premises of the hotel, known as The Hook Hotel or Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge.

According to the statement, among the recovered items were several vehicles, including a Toyota Prado Landcruiser Jeep, a Toyota Sienna Vehicle, a Volkswagen Delivery Van, a Kia Ceranto Car , and a Grand Caravan Dodge. Additionally, 74 new television sets, 10 used televisions, and 13 refrigerators were found.

In a separate operation on Sunday, April 20th, at the Seme border near Badagry, Lagos, NDLEA operatives apprehended three Ghanaian women allegedly attempting to smuggle 4.8 kilograms of Ghana Loud into Nigeria.

The individuals arrested were Haziza Zubairu, 42; Samirat Mustapha, 43; and Jamila Salifu, 26.

NDLEA discovers N1.04bn drugs in Lagos hotel

Continue Reading

metro

Tompolo speaks on Fubara planned return as Rivers gov

Published

56 minutes ago

on

April 27, 2025

By

Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo

Tompolo speaks on Fubara planned return as Rivers gov

Government Ekpemupolo, widely known as Tompolo, says President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the federal capital territory (FCT) minister, are doing everything in their power to restore Siminalayi Fubara as governor of Rivers State.

Tompolo, who serves as the chairperson of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, an oil pipeline surveillance firm focused on combating crude oil theft in Rivers and the Niger Delta, shared his views during an interview with Arise TV on Saturday.

On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers, citing a prolonged political crisis. The president suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all members of the Rivers Assembly for an initial six-month period. Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator for the state.

READ ALSO:

This emergency rule has sparked public protests, with many citizens demanding a prompt return to the previous political structure.

Tompolo expressed his belief that Fubara will soon resume his duties as governor.

He emphasized that the ongoing political tension in the state is being addressed by all relevant parties. “The duly elected governor of Rivers is coming back,” Tompolo affirmed. “The problem between Wike and Fubara is between ‘boy and oga’. Our president is one person who has been protecting democracy, and there is no way he is truncating it. We are doing everything, including the president and Wike. Fubara is coming back as governor.”

Reports indicate that Fubara met with President Tinubu in London in early April.

The meeting was reportedly initiated by the suspended governor, who is eager to return to office. During their talks, Fubara is said to have made certain promises to help resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers.

Tompolo speaks on Fubara planned return as Rivers gov

Continue Reading

Trending