The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of Mallam Ali Bello, a 47-year-old marabout, notorious for preparing charms for a bandit kingpin known as Boderi and other bandits operating within the North-West Zone.
The arrest was part of a broader crackdown that led to the detention of 143 suspects for various offences over the past two months.
Commissioner of Police Ali Dabigi disclosed that Bello was apprehended by Operation Yaki police operatives while preparing charms for a bandit named Usman Ibrahim at his shrine in the Kidandan forest.
In a related development, the police also arrested Aisha Abubakar, a 25-year-old woman found in possession of 550 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
She was caught while attempting to deliver the ammunition from Nasarawa to Katsina State.
Commissioner Dabigi highlighted several significant arrests and achievements made by the command in the last two months.
“Let us turn our attention to the achievements of the Kaduna State Police Command in the last two months. 73 armed robbery suspects were arrested,” he said.
“70 kidnapping suspects were arrested. Nine bandits were neutralized, 985 suspected phone snatchers were arrested, five AK-47 rifles were recovered, seven locally made arms were recovered, 1,817 rounds of live ammunition were recovered.”
He added, “Eight motor vehicles of different brands were recovered. Eight suspects were arrested in connection with car theft. Seven motorcycles of different brands were recovered, one tricycle was recovered.”
The police commissioner attributed these accomplishments to the dedication and hard work of his officers, emphasizing their commitment to serving and protecting the people of Kaduna State with integrity and professionalism.