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The Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), also known as Askarawan Zamfara, have arrested nine suspected members and collaborators of bandit networks, including an alleged bandit doctor, informants, logistics suppliers and a fake legal practitioner.
The suspects were paraded in Gusau on Wednesday following intelligence-led operations carried out across different parts of the state.
CPG Commandant, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Shehu Dalijan, said the arrests were made after investigators obtained useful confessions from suspects linked to criminal camps operating within and outside Zamfara.
Among those arrested was 20-year-old Abubakar Malan Ori, who allegedly admitted spending several months in the camp of notorious bandit leader Kachalla Gwaska.
According to Dalijan, Ori confessed to participating in attacks across Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states, as well as in neighbouring Niger Republic.
The suspect also allegedly revealed that more than N226 million was collected as ransom from victims abducted during the group's operations.
The security outfit also paraded Mamman Haruna and Aliyu Lawali, who were accused of taking part in large-scale cattle rustling and violent attacks alongside other notorious bandit leaders.
In another major breakthrough, operatives arrested Ibrahim Mafindi Titus, identified as a bandit doctor, who allegedly treated injured bandits using medical supplies sourced from outside the country.
Other suspects include alleged informants, logistics suppliers, drug dealers and Mustapha Muhammed, who was accused of impersonating a legal practitioner and extorting money from a relative of a detainee outside the CPG headquarters.
Dalijan said investigations are ongoing and assured residents that the security outfit would continue intensifying operations to dismantle bandit networks and their support structures across Zamfara State.
