The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested seven suspected bandits linked to criminal activities, including the killing of three Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, personnel in Bagudo Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said in a statement on Monday, that the arrests were made during intelligence-led operations targeting criminal networks operating around the Soda Forest axis and neighbouring border communities.
He said mobile police operatives intercepted three suspects along the Illo–Lolo road while they were travelling on a motorcycle from the Soda Forest area towards border settlements.
The suspects were identified as Muhammadu Bande, Aliyu Abubakar, and Muhammadu Aliyu.
Preliminary investigations showed that they were allegedly moving to deliver food supplies to armed groups operating in forest hideouts.
In a separate operation along the Bakin Ruwa–Ka’oje axis, four additional suspects, Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu, and Yahaya Shehu, were arrested as part of ongoing clearance operations in the area.
The police said investigations are ongoing to determine their level of involvement in recent attacks, including the killing of three FRSC officers in the area.
The suspects are in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Umar Hadejia, commended the operatives for the arrests and praised residents for providing useful intelligence that supported the operation.
