ZAMFARA STATE POLICE ARRESTS NSCDC OFFICER, ASC 2 MAIKANO S/TASHA, FOR ALLEGEDLY SUPPLYING ARMS, AMMUNITION, AND DRUGS TO BANDITS 27-09-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested and paraded a Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) officer, ASC 2 Maikano S/Tasha, for allegedly supplying arms, ammunition, and drugs to bandits.
The arrest, announced by the state Commissioner of Police, Shehu Muhammad Dalijan, is part of ongoing efforts to combat the escalating violence in the state.
Maikano was apprehended with a cache of ammunition, including AK-47 rounds and anti-aircraft ammunition, as well as hard drugs such as cannabis. He admitted his involvement, stating, “Yes, I was caught with drugs and bullets on my way to the bandit camp, but this is the first time.” He also implicated another NSCDC officer, ASC 2 Aminu Musa, as the primary supplier of the illicit goods to bandits responsible for numerous attacks across the state.
The police also arrested Mamuda Sani Makakari, a fake doctor, who was found with 441 rounds of ammunition. Investigations revealed that Makakari had been providing medical services to bandits despite having no formal medical training. He admitted to selling medicine to bandits and their families, stating, “I am not a doctor or a health officer. I sell medicine in villages and neighborhoods, including to them (bandits).”
In addition, the police arrested the wives of notorious bandit leaders, including the wives of Kachalla Jijji and Bello Kaura. These women, along with their four children, are suspected of playing key roles in supporting their husbands’ criminal activities.
Another shocking arrest involved a young man, Ashiru Hadi, from Kurar Mota town, who was taken into custody for killing his grandmother after she refused to give him pumpkins grown in their backyard.
The police also apprehended two notorious bandits: Aminu Tsauni, known for kidnapping and phone theft, and Salisu Hegen, a cattle rustler operating under the leadership of the infamous bandit leader Hassan Na-Bamamu. Salisu confessed to his involvement in numerous cattle thefts, stating, “We only took part in stealing two people, but I can’t say how many times I took part in stealing cattle because they are many.”
Commissioner Dalijan emphasized that all the suspects have confessed to their crimes and will face prosecution once investigations are concluded. He reassured the public that the police are committed to intensifying efforts to rid Zamfara of criminal activities and restore peace to the state.