Police Arrest 17 Drug Suspects, Notorious Car Thief in Abuja Raids

By; Zagazola Makama

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested 17 suspected drug peddlers and a notorious armed robber in separate operations across Abuja.

Zagazola Makama confirmed that operatives from the Anti-Narcotic Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Maitama and Pegi Divisions carried out coordinated raids on criminal hideouts, uncompleted buildings, and known drug black spots.

During the operations, 17 suspects were apprehended, and a significant quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, illicit drugs, 24 lighters, and scissors were recovered. Police say the suspects are undergoing interrogation, and those found culpable will be charged in court.

Notorious Car Thief Nabbed in Wuse

In a separate incident, the police arrested a suspected notorious car thief, Ibrahim Suleiman, 36, of Falele Village in Lokoja, Kogi State.

Suleiman was caught in the act of attempting to steal a Toyota Sienna Space Bus parked near Wuse Zone 3 Mosque during Juma’at prayers on Friday. An angry mob descended on him, but he was rescued by operatives from the Wuse Division.

During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. Investigations also revealed that he had previously been arrested in connection with a car theft and a robbery at First Bank in Abaji on June 13, 2024. At the time, he was caught by the then Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Abaji, CSP Alkali Lamido, in Gegu Community, Kogi State.

Further intelligence led to the recovery of seven master keys, two mobile phones, a pair of glasses, and a Peugeot 406 Saloon Car with registration number KAB 480 AA, dark ash in color. Suleiman admitted to being involved in multiple car thefts across Kogi and the FCT. He had been previously charged in court but was released. The suspect is now in custody at the Anti-Violent Crime Section of SCID, where investigations are ongoing.

Suspect Caught With AK-47 Magazine and Live Ammunition

Meanwhile, police operatives from Jabi Division arrested one Sadiq Abubakar Walama, 36, of Fafu Estate, Idu Yard, for being in possession of an AK-47 rifle magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition.

Security sources confirmed that Walama was acting suspiciously when he was intercepted. Upon search, operatives also found a form bearing a military passport photograph. The suspect is currently in custody undergoing interrogation.

Three Dead in Abuja Traffic Accident

In another development, a fatal road accident occurred at about 6:20 p.m. on Friday at Sun City Traffic Light, involving a Hayab Truck with registration number Lagos FST 585 XY, belonging to Sany Company.

The truck reportedly lost control and ran into pedestrians who were attempting to cross the road. Five victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jabi.

Three of the victims were confirmed dead, while the others remain in critical condition at the hospital’s emergency unit. The truck has been impounded, and an investigation into the incident is underway.

The FCT Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, while reiterating its commitment to ensuring public safety and security.

Police Arrest 17 Drug Suspects, Notorious Car Thief in Abuja Raids

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Security forces in Niger State have successfully rescued three kidnapped victims after a swift operation by the police and local vigilantes forced armed bandits to abandon their captives and flee into the bush.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the rescue operation followed intelligence received by the Sarkin-Pawa Divisional Police Officer (DPO) on the abduction of three individuals from Matsunta Dangunu, in Munya Local Government Area.

The victims Auwalu Usman, 30; Ya’u Aliyu, 27; and Yahuza Garba, 35 were kidnapped in the early hours of February 27, while four motorcycles were also stolen by the assailants.

Upon receiving the distress report, the DPO of Sarkin-Pawa quickly mobilized a joint team of police tactical operatives and local vigilantes to track the bandits. The security team intercepted the criminals along the Anakai exit route near Dangunu.

Sensing danger, the bandits hastily released the hostages and fled into the bush to evade capture. The three victims were safely rescued without injuries and have since been reunited with their families.

Meanwhile, security forces are intensifying efforts to recover the stolen motorcycles and track down the fleeing criminals.

A security official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to operational sensitivities said, “Our intelligence-led approach continues to yield results. The swift response of our personnel prevented these criminals from executing their plans. We will not relent until we bring them to justice.”he said.

Police, Vigilantes Rescue Three Kidnap Victims in Niger, Bandits Flee

Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA have captured Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu, a notorious bandit kingpin responsible for terrorizing communities in Mada, Tsafe, and other parts of Zamfara State.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region gathered from security sources that the operation, conducted by troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, took place on February 27 at Hegin Mahe, Ruwan Bore in Mada town, Gusau Local Government Area.

Troops launched a well-coordinated ambush, leading to a fierce gun battle in which several bandits were neutralized while others escaped with gunshot wounds. The kingpin initially fled into nearby homes but was pursued and captured alive by the security forces.

Hours after his arrest, his gang members, led by Bakin Malam, launched a reprisal attack on Chediya, Bamamu, and Makera villages, issuing threats to dislodge residents if Nabamamu was not released. The attack forced many residents to flee their homes in fear.

However, The Nigerian troops swiftly responded with superior firepower, repelling the bandits and preventing further breach of security. Additional both Air and Land troops were deployed to secure the area and prevent further incursions, while intelligence operations continue to track down fleeing gang members.

Nabamamu, originally from Tsafe, Gidan Alhaji Kaduna, started as an Almajiri before attending Model Primary School, Tsafe. He later relocated to Bamamu village, where he engaged in cattle rearing. For over 30 years, he was involved in armed robbery and later became one of the first Fulani men to openly embrace large-scale banditry in Zamfara.

He first gained notoriety after leading an armed robbery attack on the home of Sani Dan Kyaso, orchestrating multiple murders in the process. Security sources describe him as deadlier than the infamous bandit leader Ado Alero, often warning other criminals such as Dan Isuhu to stay out of his self acclaimed territory.

Nabamamu commanded a large group of fighters, carrying out brutal attacks on villages including Makera, Chediya, Agama Lafiya, Singawa, Yalwa, Rekebu, Fegen Baza, Danmarke, and Sabon Fege, as well as locations near Setraco Company in Tsafe town. His gang was also responsible for numerous kidnappings along the Gusau-Tsafe highway, turning the route into a deadly zone for travelers.

Nabamamu worked closely with other top bandit leaders, including Bakin Malam, Kachallah Mal Tukur, and Kachallah Baldu, controlling at least 100 heavily armed fighters. He imposed millions of naira in levies on villages in Tsafe LGA, ruthlessly punishing communities that failed to pay.

Security sources revealed that Nabamamu had deep ties with weapons traffickers, often securing arms from suppliers linked to foreign terror networks. Intelligence reports indicate that he was involved in coordinating supply chains that provided sophisticated firearms to criminal groups operating in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, and Niger states.

His gang was also notorious for using informants within local communities to track movements of security forces and high-value kidnap targets. Investigations suggest that he had an extensive financial network, using ransom proceeds to fund operations and maintain strong alliances with other bandit groups.

The arrest of Nabamamu is expected to significantly weaken the operational network of bandit groups in Zamfara. It is believed that dismantling his leadership structure could lead to the rescue of kidnapped victims still held by his gang.

Military operations under Operation FANSAN YANMA have intensified in recent weeks, with coordinated land and air offensives eliminating several high-profile bandits and rescuing hostages from their enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kebbi states.

Military officials vowed that the offensive will continue until all major bandit leaders are neutralized and peace is restored to the region.

Residents of Mada, Tsafe, and surrounding areas who have been terrorized for many years welcomed the news of Nabamamu’s arrest, expressing hope that security will improve and banditry will be brought under control.

Troops Capture Notorious Bandit Leader Kachallah Hassan Nabamamu in Zamfara