The Nigerian Army has announced the arrest of a suspected bandit and kidnap kingpin in Katsina State, Mallam Bawa Gomna.
Twenty other suspects were also arrested with him during an operation around Batsari, Jibia and Safana local government areas of Katsina State between June 3 and 21, 2019.
The operation was carried out in continuation of the fight against armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other criminalities in Katsina state, by troops of 17 Brigade on Operation Harbin Kunama III.
Those arrested so far are reportedly responsible for terrorising villagers in Batsari, Jibia and Safana local government areas.
According to the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, the suspected criminal were apprehended based on credible intelligence from the locals, and had confessed taking part in several banditry activities, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes.
Musa said they would be handed over to the respective law enforcement agency for further action.
Musa said the 17 Brigade Nigerian Army commended and appreciated all those that provided the information that led to the arrest and urged members of the public to continue to support security agencies with credible information in order to combat the insecurity.
Those arrested and items recovered are:
- Bawa Gomna of Garin Waiziri in Safana LGA.
- Mallam Bello Sabiu of Fafara Village of Jibia LGA.
- Ibrahim Umar of Fafara village, Jibia LGA (Serials 1- 3 are logistics suppliers of the bandits).
- Mallam Ibrahim Labo of Shamushelle Village in Birnin Magaji LGA, Zamfara State.
- Musa Lawal of Maitonga Village in Safana LGA.
- Mallam Adamu Mohammed Mairuwa village, Faskari LGA
- Ibrahim Babangida Mairuwa, Faskari LGA
- Sani Adamu Mairuwa Village Faskari LGA
- Yusuf Abubakar – Mairuwa Village, Faskari LGA
- Adamu Saidu – Mairuwa Village, Faskari LGA of Katsina State to mention a few.
Also troops recovered motorcycles, food stuffs, handsets and jerricans of petroleum motor sprit (PMS) from the bandits.
