The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has paraded 42 suspected bandits and terrorists who were intercepted at Tsaumi village forest, bordering Lambata in Gurara Local Council of Niger State.
The Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, who made this known at a media briefing in Abuja, yesterday, said the suspects were operating under the cover of miners of solid minerals.
Odumosu said they were, however, busted following a preliminary investigation, which revealed they may not be miners as they claimed but rather suspected bandits fleeing ongoing onslaught by the military in Zamfara State
According to him, the operation was carried out by a combined team of NSCDC operatives and the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
He explained: “The suspects were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Council of Niger State. In the course of interrogation, they were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged they were working for.
“Further investigation revealed that this group of young men has been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger states. At the time they were intercepted, they had no evidence to show they were going on mining activities, which suggests they have a sinister agenda.”
Odumosu further revealed that the command, in synergy with men of the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested one Bartholomew Anthony, ‘m’, 27, from Kaura Local Council of Kaduna State.
He said the suspect was arrested at the Mabushi axis of the FCT and that pieces of armoured cables, one hacksaw, one jack knife, one Tecno Bolton handset, and N20,000 cash was found on him.
