Foreigner who ‘sells’ guns to bandits arrested in Zamfara

The Zamfara state police command has arrested Shehu Ali Kachalla, a Nigerien citizen, who allegedly sells gun to bandits.

Kachalla, while being paraded by the police on Friday, confessed he had been in the business for more than three years.

He said he had sold no fewer than 450 rifles to different criminal gangs across the north-west region.

Four other suspects were also paraded for their alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and illegal possession of firearms.

Shehu Mohammed, the command’s spokesperson, said the state leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) assisted with information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

He added that the suspects were arrested through the efforts of the federal intelligence investigation bureau and special tactical squad deployed to the state.

According to him, those arrested have been involved in attacks on various communities in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger states.

They were alleged to have kidnapped the younger brother of one Dauda Lawal and confessed that they collected N20 million ransom, as well as received N10 million ransom for the abduction of the daughter of one Yahaya Maradun.

Items recovered from the suspects included four AK-49 rifles, nine magazines, 960 live ammunition, and assorted charms.

Abubakar Ali, another kidnap suspect from Niger state, said he operated within Kagarko and Chikun LGAs of Kaduna.

He was said to have confessed that he had been in the business for three years, and had killed five of his victims who could not afford to pay ramson.

The police spokesperson said the command will continue to collaborate with any group or persons willing to work for the peace of Zamfara and the north-west region.

See photo of arms and ammunition recovered from the suspects below.