Zamfara CPG Arrests 9 , Uncovers N226m Ransom From Abductions

The Zamfara State Community Protection Guards (CPG), also known as Askarawa, have arrested nine suspects linked to banditry and uncovered more than N226 million reportedly collected as ransom from multiple abductions across the state and neighbouring areas.

The suspects, paraded in Gusau on Monday, include alleged active bandits, informants, logistics suppliers, a suspected bandit doctor, drug merchants and a fake legal practitioner.

The CPG Commandant, retired AIG Shehu Dalijan, said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations across Zamfara State, with detailed confessions from suspects helping security operatives to uncover the activities of various criminal camps and their support networks.

Among those paraded was 20-year-old Abubakar Malan Ori, who allegedly spent several months in the camp of notorious bandit kingpin, Kachalla Gwaska.

Dalijan said Ori participated in criminal operations across Zamfara, Kaduna and Niger states, as well as the Niger Republic, and provided information on the ransom activities of the group.

According to the Commandant, Ori revealed that more than N226 million was collected as ransom from several abductions carried out by the criminal network.

Two other suspects, Mamman Haruna and Aliyu Lawali, reportedly confessed to their involvement in cattle rustling and armed attacks alongside other notorious bandit leaders.

The operation also led to the arrest of Ibrahim Mafindi Titus, a suspected bandit doctor accused of treating wounded bandits and sourcing medical supplies from international sources.

Other suspects paraded included alleged informants, logistics suppliers and drug merchants, as well as Mustapha Muhammed, an alleged impersonator accused of extorting money from the relative of a detainee outside the CPG headquarters.

Dalijan said the arrests were part of efforts to dismantle the wider networks that provide bandits with intelligence, logistics, medical care and other forms of support.

“We remain unalloyed in our commitment to weed out collaborators and restore total peace across communities in Zamfara State,” he said.

The suspects are expected to be handed over to relevant prosecuting agencies for further investigation and legal action.