A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim, who represents ?auran-Namoda State constituency, is in Police custody over alleged banditry and kidnapping.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, who confirmed the arrest of the lawmaker to newsmen, revealed also that the District Head of ?auran-Namoda, Jafaru Abdullahi Kumburki and a former chairman of the LGA, Nasiru Muhammad, are in Police custody over similar allegations.
The Police Commissioner said three district heads of Danjibga, Bukkuyum and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs, whose names have not been made public, are being investigated over the same issues.
He said preliminary investigation by the Police indicated that the district head of ?auran-Namoda allegedly connived with two suspected bandits collaborators, Alhaji Bala and Hali Sidi, and kidnapped nine people in Gidan Sambo village in ?auran-Namoda LGA.
The Police Commissioner said the trio allegedly collected N800,000 ransom before they freed their captives. He further said that Ibrahim, the serving lawmaker in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, was arrested over allegation of involvement in the kidnap of 80-year-old Ibrahim Sarkin-Fada of Kasuwar Daji village.
Dalijan said the former chairman of ?auran-Namoda LGA, who is also under detention, allegedly connived with Hali Sidi and the said Alhaji Bala and kidnapped one Ango, of Kumurya village.
The Police Commissioner said: The district heads of Danjibga, Unguwar Gyauro and Bukkuyum will face an investigative panel set up by the state government over their involvement in banditry activities.
Prior to the formation of the panel, the Police had conducted an investigation on the matter and submitted their report to the state governor (Dauda Lawal) for further action.
Police authorities will continue to identify, arrest and subsequently prosecute anybody found participating in banditry and other related crimes. Investigation is still ongoing and I can assure you that whoever is found directly or indirectly involved in this case will be invited for questioning, he said.
Some concerned people in ?auran-Namoda where the incidents happened and environs expressed shock over the discovery of the arrests and interrogation of the officials by the Police, but expressed hope that once there is commitment on the side of the highest authorities, banditry will come to an end and normal life will return in their areas.
