Operatives of the Katsina Police Command have intercepted five vehicles being driven into the forest to supply embattled bandits with petrol.
The Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, SP Isah Gambo, who disclosed this while parading the suspects during a press briefing at the Police Command Headquarters on Monday said based on intelligence report, the police team on surveillance in the area were able to intercept them before they could reach the bandits with the fuel.
SP. Gambo said the Police Command had observed that scores of irresponsible drivers of small vehicles have been buying petrol in large quantities to take to the forest for the notorious bandits using their vehicles.
While being interrogated, the suspects confessed that they were selling it to the bandits in the forest.
He said; “On the 18/9/2021 based on credible intelligence, the command succeeded in arresting some commuters, especially drivers of small vehicles like Golf, Passat, Peugeot, who are buying fuel in large quantities and going towards Jibiya into the forest to sell to the bandits.
“The arrested suspects are: Lawal Shu’ain’t 32, from Maradi, Niger Republic, conveying fuel in ash colour Passat Motor vehicle, with Reg. No. XML 347 AA.
“Sani Lawal 28, from Magamar in Jibia LGA, conveying fuel in his blue colour Passat motor vehicle, with registration No. KMC 198 XB.
“Abdulrashid Garba 50, of Daddara village, Jibia LGA, conveying fuel in his Golf III, wagon with registration No. AR 719 KTN
“Tigal Haruna 57, of Kofar Guga Quarters, Katsina, conveying fuel in his Passat motor vehicle with registration number FC 977 LKJ.
“Nemesis caught up with the suspects when they were arrested along Katsina – Jibia road while on their way into the forest.
“In the course of investigation suspects confessed to be selling the fuel at fringes of the forest, contrary to Executive order and other extant laws of the Federation. Investigation is ongoing.”
Similarly, a 25-year-old Shafi’u Haruna of Ungwan Nakaba in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina State was also arrested for supplying fuel to bandits in the forest.
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