Police Arrest NSCDC Officer, Fake Doctor, and Others Linked to Banditry in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer for allegedly supplying arms, ammunition, and drugs to bandits.

State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Dalijan, made the announcement during a suspect parade at the command headquarters in Gusau.

Among those apprehended were a fake doctor and two wives of notorious bandit leaders, who were reportedly on their way to deliver ammunition.

The NSCDC officer, identified as ACS II Maikano S/Tasha, was found with a large cache of ammunition, including AK-47 rounds and anti-aircraft bullets, as well as illegal drugs like cannabis.

CP Dalijan noted that Maikano had previously been arrested two years ago but was released, assuring that this time he would face justice.

“One of the unfortunate incidents we are dealing with is the arrest of a Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps officer found in possession of arms and drugs intended for delivery to bandits in the Mada area. He has been arrested with ammunition and Indian hemp, which he was transporting to the bandits in the bush. He is a collaborator and will be treated as such.”

The police also arrested Mamuda Sani Makakari, a fake doctor found with 441 live rounds of ammunition.

Investigations revealed that Makakari had been providing medical services to bandits despite lacking formal medical training.

He was apprehended alongside several women and children who were carrying live ammunition intended for delivery to bandits in the Anka Local Government Area.

Among the detained women were the wives of prominent bandit leaders, including Kachalla Jijji and Bello Kaura.

“These women were apprehended while on their way to deliver ammunition to bandits in Anka and Bukkuyum,” said CP Dalijan.

The police commissioner expressed concern over the rising trend of women in hijabs being used to transport arms and ammunition across the state.

“Our main concern now is the involvement of women in hijabs in smuggling weapons to the bandits. We are left with no choice but to search all women travelling in the state, regardless of whether they are wearing a hijab,” he explained. “We will ensure that women search women, but any woman on our roads must undergo thorough checks.”

CP Dalijan further revealed that the husbands of the detained women have issued threats of retaliation against local communities and police formations if their wives are not released.

“We are taking measures to protect our personnel and the public from potential attacks. The women will not be released under any circumstances. If they [the bandits] attack, we will respond accordingly,” the commissioner said