The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, made a significant breakthrough by apprehending 42 individuals suspected of being bandits and terrorists disguised as miners of solid minerals.
Commandant Olusola Odumosu, while parading the suspects at the command headquarters on Wednesday, revealed that the arrests took place with the aid of credible intelligence and in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
According to Odumosu, the operation occurred on Monday, February 12, 2024, around 06:00hrs in Niger State. The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village, bordering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
Upon preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspects, purportedly miners, might actually be fleeing bandits from the ongoing military operation in Zamfara State. They were attempting to pass through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through the Gwagwalada Area Council en route Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.
Further interrogation revealed inconsistencies in their claims, as they were unable to provide details of the mining site or the company they allegedly worked for. Instead, evidence suggested they had been operating within Zamfara, Kogi, and Niger states.
The commandant emphasized that the suspects’ cooperation in providing information would aid in determining their involvement in criminal activities such as banditry and kidnapping within the FCT. Upon completion of investigations, appropriate actions will be taken against them.
In a related development, the NSCDC also apprehended four individuals associated with a syndicate specializing in the vandalism and theft of armoured cables within the FCT.
