‘WE HAVE OUR SPONSORS’, SUSPECTED BANDITS TELL SECURITY PERSONNEL
Read Time:3 Minute, 33 Second
…As NSCDC, DSS nab Vigilante team members for vandalism
Interrogators have been informed by suspected bandits arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory FCT Command and members of the Nigerian Army’s 176 Guards Battalion that they have sponsors.
This was made public on Wednesday at the 42-suspect parade at the Command Headquarters in Abuja by FCT NSCDC Commandant Olusola Odumosu.
Additionally, he declared that the Corps’ cooperation with the Department of State Services (DSS) had paid off, as five vigilante team members were apprehended for using their positions to vandalize certain important national assets in the Federal Capital Territory.
Sharp weapons, including machetes, knives, and daggers, were discovered on the accused.
Given the current trends in the security situation in the FCT, Odumosu just called a conference last week with the chiefs of the NSCDC intelligence teams, area commanders, and all divisional officers to discuss the Corps’ strategies.
Parading the suspects, Odumosu said, “I gave a fresh charge to the officers and men to step up our game against criminal elements within our territory using intelligence gathering.
“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 6:00 a.m.
“The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.”
According to him, preliminary investigations by the Corps revealed that the suspects are bandits fleeing the ongoing onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council en route to Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.
“In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they were alleged to be working for.
“Further investigations 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 suggests they have a sinister agenda.
“They have also confessed to having sponsors; however, investigations in that regard is still ongoing, and you will be informed when it is concluded,” said Odumosu.
He said 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.
Odumosu added that when investigations are concluded and their level of involvement in crime is determined, necessary further action will be taken.
“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, 27 years 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 Jackknife, 1 Techno Bolton handset and N20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira cash).
“The suspect made useful statements that lead our operatives to arrest three of his other accomplices: Hakilu Muhammed ”M” 25 years old from Shango LGA Niger state, Abdulrahman Abbas “M” 30 years old from Unguwan Sarki Piako LGA, Niger state, Samaila Promise “M” 20 years old from Karim Lamido, Taraba state all four arrested suspects belong to a syndicate that specializes in vandalism and theft of armored cables in the CT,” he said.
According to him, the suspects belong to a vigilance group and hence use their purported membership of the security outfit to commit heinous acts.
“We have profiled them and obtained their statements; they will soon be arraigned in court for justice to prevail.
“I want to assure the residents 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,” he begged.
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