Banditry Financed Through Illegal Mining, says Army

11 NEW DANE GUNS AND 150 CARTRIDGES RECOVERED BY TROOPS AT DAKI TAKWAS ON 20 AUG 20

The Nigeria Army on Tuesday said it has uncovered how illegal mining activities is being used to finance banditry in the country.

In a statement signed by Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, the Army made the discovery when troops of Operation Sahel Sanity conducted a well coordinated intelligence based operation leading to the raid of an illegal mining site located along Gadan Zaima – Zuru Road in Bukuyyum LGA of Zamfara State which also serve as bandits’ hideout.

During the operation, he said, troops arrested 150 suspects and recovered 20 locally fabricated Dane Guns, one of the suspects was neutralized while trying to escape.

According to Onyeuko, preliminary investigation reveals that aside sabotaging the nation’s economy, banditry is being financed through these illegal mining activities.

Similarly, on 22 August 2020 gallant troops on fighting patrol encountered 3 bandits on motorcycles around Maigalma village in Anka LGA of Zamfara State while attempting to attack innocent residents.

During the encounter, one of the bandits was neutralized while others escaped. Troops recovered one AK-47 Rifle, one AK 47 Rifle magazine loaded with 5 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and two motorcycles from the fleeing bandits.

He also revealed that on 21 August 2020, troops acting on actionable intelligence raided a known bandit hideout around Dogon Karfe village in Bakura LGA of Zamfara. During the operation, 4 Dane Guns and one loaded magazine were recovered by the troops in an abandoned structure. Same day, following credible intelligence, troops deployed at Wagini village arrested a wanted notorious bandit named Isuhu Ibrahim (aka Bula) who in company of other bandits have been terrorizing the general area for a while.

Relatedly, on 20 August 2020, troops deployed at Daki Takwas conducted a snap road block and successfully intercepted a Toyota Corolla car with Reg No. DAL 41MT. After a deligent search on the vehicle, troops discovered 11 brand new locally made rifles and 150 live cartridges carefully concealed in different parts of the vehicle. Preliminary investigation reveals that the dangerous cargo was heading to Kofar Dinya in Bukkuyum LGA of Zamfara State. A total of 5 men were arrested in connection to the illegal fire arms.

Bernard further disclosed that in another development, on 20 August 2020, a repentant bandit leader named Bornon Kejo willingly surrendered to troops and submitted 2 AK-47 Rifles and 2 AK 47 Rifle magazines at Zurmi in Zurmi LGA of Zamfara State. Efforts are ongoing to recover more weapons as well as encourage others to embrace peace and submit their arms.

Additionally, same day on 20 August 2020, troops of Operation SAHEL SANITY deployed at Sabon Layi rescued one adult male and one female earlier kidnapped by suspected bandits. The victims were kidnapped alongside 4 other persons at Daudawa village of Faskari LGA of Katsina State.

However, the victims managed to escape from their abductors as a result of troops intense operational activities in the area. The rescued persons have been handed over to officials of Faskari LGA for onward reunion with their families while efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining 4 victims.

Also, troops acting on a tip off arrested a suspected bandit named Masaudu Abubakar. The suspect was identified to be a member of a syndicate terrorizing the area. In the same vein, troops on fighting patrol apprehended a suspected bandit named Tukur Haliru. Suspect was arrested while trying to sneak into Yargamji village on a spy mission from Danjiko Forest.

Also, between 19 – 20 August 2020, 7 trucks loaded with cattle suspected to have been rustled were arrested along Jibia – Katsina road and Gusau – Zaria road respectively. Arrested cattle and suspects have been handed over to Katsina State Police Command and Zamfara State Association of Rustled Animals, Gusau for further necessary action.

Meanwhile, that all arrested suspects are currently in custody undergoing preliminary investigation and will soon be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies for further action.