Police kill bandit, nab three in Zamfara raid

The Zamfara State Police Command has neutralised one suspected armed gang member and arrested three others during a coordinated crackdown on banditry in Kasuwan Daji, Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, recovering a cache of firearms and other dangerous weapons.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, disclosed on Sunday that the breakthrough was part of the command’s ongoing fight against criminality across the state.

The command disclosed that police operatives arrested Ali Bahago, Hassan Dan Kure of Kasuwan Daji, and Dahiru Lawali during the operation.

The statement read, “On 29th May 2026, operatives of the command’s Violence Crime Response Unit, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested members of an armed criminal gang terrorising residents of the Kasuwan Daji area of the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

“The syndicate had been on the Command’s watchlist due to its alleged involvement in various criminal activities within the area.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are members of an armed criminal gang allegedly led by Ali Bahago, who has been linked to several criminal activities within the area.

“During the operation, one member of the gang was neutralised, while three suspects were arrested.”

Following a search of the residence of the alleged gang leader, Bahago, operatives recovered one pump-action gun, one single-barrel gun, one fabricated G3 rifle, two Dane guns, four rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, nine pump-action cartridges, one handcuff chain, one locally made pistol, three Boxer motorcycles, and one locally made magazine.

“The suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue with a view to apprehending other members of the gang and recovering additional exhibits.

“The Zamfara State Police Command reiterates its commitment to combating armed criminality and ensuring the safety and security of residents across the state.

“The command urges members of the public to continue supporting the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information that will assist in the fight against crime,” the statement added.

This came less than 24 hours after reports of the alleged killing of a councillor representing Jangebe Ward, Habibu Jangebe, and the Director of Planning of Talata-Mafara Local Government, Alhaji Jamilu Sani, over alleged links with Lakurawa terrorists.

According to PidomNigeria Online, the two officials of Talata-Mafara Local Government Area were reportedly murdered by bandits for allegedly paying the Lakurawa group every month.