Police Nab Notorious Armed Gang Members, Recover Firearms in Zamfara Crackdown

The Zamfara State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its sustained campaign against armed criminality with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious gang and the recovery of a cache of weapons and other exhibits in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.

The Command said the operation was carried out on May 29, 2026, by operatives of its Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of a criminal syndicate allegedly terrorizing residents of the Kasuwan Daji area.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the suspects had been under surveillance due to their alleged involvement in a series of criminal activities within the community. During the intelligence-led operation, officers intercepted and arrested three suspects identified as Ali Bahago of Danakulu via Kasuwan Daji, Hassan Dan Kure of Kasuwan Daji, and Dahiru Lawali of Gidan Ango.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were members of an armed gang allegedly led by Ali Bahago, who security agencies believe has links to several criminal incidents in the area. The police said the gang had been on the Command’s watchlist as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.

The operation also resulted in the neutralization of one suspected gang member during an encounter with security operatives. Police authorities did not disclose the identity of the deceased suspect but noted that the action formed part of efforts to prevent further threats to public safety.

Following the arrests, operatives conducted a search at the residence of the alleged gang leader, Ali Bahago, where they recovered a substantial cache of arms, ammunition and other items believed to have been used in criminal operations.

Items recovered during the search included one pump-action gun, one single-barrel gun, a fabricated G3 rifle, two Dane guns, four rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, nine pump-action cartridges, one locally made pistol, and a locally fabricated magazine.

The police also recovered three Boxer motorcycles suspected to have been used for criminal activities, as well as a handcuff chain among other exhibits. The recovery is expected to aid ongoing investigations and provide valuable leads in tracking down other members of the syndicate.

DSP Abubakar stated that the arrested suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue. He added that efforts are being intensified to apprehend fleeing accomplices and recover additional weapons and exhibits linked to the gang’s operations.

The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating armed criminality and restoring peace across Zamfara State. It emphasized that security operatives would continue to pursue criminal elements wherever they operate and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

The Command further appealed to residents to continue supporting law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information that could assist security operations. It assured members of the public that all useful intelligence would be treated with confidentiality and acted upon promptly.

“The Command remains resolute and will not relent until all criminal elements are identified, arrested, and brought to justice,” the statement said, reiterating the police determination to safeguard lives and property across Zamfara State.