In route to Kwali Area Council in the nation’s capital, 42 accused bandits and terrorists masquerading as miners have been taken into custody by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.
On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, at the command headquarters, Olusola Odumosu, the commandant, paraded the suspects. He stated they had been apprehended on Monday in Niger State thanks to reliable intelligence and in cooperation with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
Based on reliable information and working with the Nigerian Army’s 176 Guards Battalion, 42 alleged terrorists and bandits who were posing as solid mineral miners have been taken into custody.
Odumosu claims that the Corps Intelligence Unit’s preliminary investigation revealed that, contrary to their claims, they may not be miners but rather suspected bandits escaping the ongoing military onslaughts in Zamfara State through the Niger State forest zone and into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) via Gwagwalada Area Council and Pai village of Kwali Area Council.
He went on to say that when the suspects were questioned and were unable to identify the mining site or the name of the company they were purportedly employed by, their suspicions were further allayed.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC further recalled that he had called a meeting to review strategies with the heads of the Command’s Intelligence team, area commanders, and all divisional officers of the Corps in response to the directive issued to heads of security agencies by the Minister of the FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, to protect the nation’s capital.
“I gave the officers and men a fresh charge to use intelligence gathering to step up their game against criminal elements within our Territory,” the speaker declared.
“More research showed that this group of young males was active in the states of Zamfara, Kogi, and Niger. They had no proof at the time of their interception that they were engaged in mining operations, which raises the possibility that they had a dark intent.
“They have also admitted to having sponsors, but that is still under investigation; you will be notified when it is finished.”
According to him, the suspects have been assisting the Corps by providing helpful information that will enable investigators to ascertain the extent of their involvement in kidnapping and banditry in the Federal Capital Territory.
Odumosu promised that the appropriate additional steps would be taken after investigations were completed and their degree of involvement in the crime was established.
Similarly, our joint efforts with the officers of the Department of State Security Services (DSS) resulted in the successful apprehension of Bartholomew Anthony, a 27-year-old man from Kaura local government area in Kaduna State,” the speaker stated.
As per the FCT Commandant, Bartholomew Anthony, the suspect, was apprehended at the Mabushi axis of the FCT along with many exhibits including parts of armored cables, a Techno Bolton handset, a hacksaw, a Jack knife, and twenty (N20,000) thousand naira in cash.
Three of the suspect’s accomplices, Hakilu Muhammad “M,” a 25-year-old from Niger State, Abdulrahaman Abbas “M,” a 30-year-old from Unguwan Sarki, Paiko LGA, Niger State, and Samaila Promise “M,” a 20-year-old from Karim Lamido LGA, Taraba State, were apprehended by our operatives thanks to the suspect’s insightful statement.
“The four individuals who were detained are part of a syndicate that targets armored cable theft and vandalism in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The suspects, as revealed by our covert investigators, are members of a vigilante gang and utilize their alleged affiliation with the security group to carry out horrific deeds. In order for justice to prevail, we have profiled them, acquired their statements, and will shortly arraign them in court.
“I want to reassure the people living in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that we won’t give up until we remove all criminal elements attempting to render the region unsuitable for habitation.
“Since security is everyone’s concern, I also want to urge the general public to report any suspicious individuals,” Odumosu said in closing.
