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.
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“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.
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“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.
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