The Zamfara State government has announced the arrest of an Army officer (name not available) suspected to be the supplier of arms and military uniforms to bandits.
The bandits terrorising the State are often seen in military fatigues.
Mr. Bashir Maru, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Bello Matawalle, said the military arrested the officer alongside his girlfriend, following community driven-intelligence.
“The military recently arrested an army officer and his girlfriend who were engaged in assisting bandits with military uniforms and ammunition in active connivance with other saboteurs. This arrest was only made possible through community-driven intelligence,” he said.
“While the State government awaits the action the military will take on this matter and make an official statement, the development has further proved the position of Governor Bello Mohammed (Matawalle) that unless the fight against banditry is cleansed of bad eggs and saboteurs, we may not record the desired success in the fight.
“Let me use this medium to salute the courage and patriotism of the individual who came forward with information that led to the arrest of these traitors. Our gratitude knows no bounds.”
The Army spokesperson, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, could not be reached for comments on the arrest.
In February, hundreds of schoolgirls were kidnapped from the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Talatu-Mafara LGA by bandits. The girls were released about 10 days after their abduction.