January 31, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday said it neutralised at least 23 bandits believed to be members of the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji, in various operations carried out between 20th to 29th January, 2022.
The operations according to the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ahmed Zaki Gwandu in Charge of Operations, Force Headquarters Abuja was carried out by Operation Sahara Storm in Rabah, Goronyo and Illela LGAs of Sokoto State.
Parading the 57 criminals at the Sokoto State Police Command, DIG Zaki said 37 confessed to the crime of banditry, while others are criminals with offences bothering on criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms and culpable homicide.
Giving breakdown of recoveries from the operations, DIG Zaki said thirty two (32) AK 47 rifles, two (2) Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) one (1) Rocket Launcher (RL), one thousand, four hundred and twelve 7.6mm (1412) live ammunition, four (4) locally made pistols, three (3) pairs of Army Camouflage Uniforms, four (4) operational vehicles, scores of hard drugs, cache of charms, sixteen (16) Tecno mobile phones, 150 cows and numerous other dangerous weapons and sim cards.
The DIG assured that the Police will not rest on their oars until all criminal elements are brought to book.
Confirming the development, one of the arrested bandits and gun supplier, Musa Kamarawa, agreed that he has been supplying weapons and recently purchased a gun truck worth 28 million naira to be delivered to the Bello Turji led bandits operating in states of the North West before his arrest.
Onee of the bandits, who said he is an Ardo, traditional head of a Fulani settlement in Dege area of Plateau State, said he has been trading in ammunition but was unlucky to be arrested in his first attempt at selling AK 47 rifles.
On further interview by newsmen, some of the arrested bandits confessed to have been sentenced to prison at one time or the other but were all released either by their lawyers or jumping bails.
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