FCT NSCDC Arrests 42 Suspected Bandits

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, FCT command in collaboration with the 176 Guards Battalion of the Nigerian Army has arrested 42 suspected bandits and terrorists operating under the cover of being miners of solid minerals.

The NSCDC FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu while parading the suspects in Abuja said they were intercepted at the forest of Tsaumi Village bothering Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to him preliminary investigation by the Corps revealed that they were not miners as they claimed but rather suspected bandits fleeing the on-going onslaught of the military operation in Zamfara State through the forest zone of Niger State into the FCT through Gwagwalada Area Council enroute Pai Village of Kwali Area Council.

Mr Odumosu explained that in the course of interrogation, the suspects were unable to disclose the mining site and company name they alleged to be working for, which suggest they have a sinister agenda.

He said further investigation had revealed that the group of young men have been operating within Zamfara, Kogi and Niger States.

The NSCDC Commandant said the suspects have been cooperating with the corps by giving useful information that would help determine their level of involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities in the FCT.

Nkiru Njemanze, Edited By Grace Namiji