Zamfara state government has disclosed that the Nigerian military has arrested an army officer and his girlfriend for aiding banditry in Zamfara.
The Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor, Dr. Bashir Maru disclosed at a press briefing in Gusau on Friday that the army officer and his girlfriend were being investigated over the crime.
“An issue of topical importance is a recent arrest by the military of an army officer and his girlfriend who are engaged in assisting bandits with Military uniforms and ammunitions in active connivance with other saboteurs.
“This arrest was only made possible through community driven intelligence. While the state Government awaits the action the Military will take on this matter and make an official statement, the development has further proved the position of gov. Bello Mohammed that unless the fight against banditry is cleansed of bad eggs and saboteurs, we may not record the desired success in the fight.
“Let me use this medium to salute the courage and patriotism of the individual who came forward with information that led to the arrest of these traitors. Our gratitude knows no bound,” he stated.
Also reacting to a recent media reports that 60 persons had been abducted and 40 killed by a gang of bandits from Ruwan Tofa village, the deputy chief of staff described the report as misleading and “fabricated information.”
“The true account of what happened was that a group of suspected armed bandits arrived Tungar Baushe on Tuesday 2nd, March 2021, this week and sought to fuel their motorcycles through act of intimidation and coercion, which they did and took along with them food, drugs, water, soft drinks and thereafter left without recording any casualty.
“As they moved out of the village towards the next village of Ruwan Tofa, information spread-out and the Ruwan Tofa community prepared defense of their territory and in the ensuing melee a large number of the suspected armed bandits were resisted and ambushed and many of the incursors were killed and others escaped with different degree of injuries.
“Two people from Ruwan Tofa sustained gunshots injuries and are recuperating in an undisclosed hospital for reason of security.
“However, the suspected armed bandits were not done, and the following day, Wednesday 3rd March, 2021, they returned to Tungar Baushe.
“Authoritative sources reported that the bandits attacked the village and burnt down two vehicles loaded with grains and other valuables but no life was lost. Unfortunately, they abducted a number of persons including women and children,” he explained.
