THE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a 32-year-old man, identified as Ahmed Abubakar, for allegedly attempting to purchase ammunition for bandits operating in Zamfara State.
News Point Nigeria reports that Abubakar, who hails from Gusau, Zamfara State, but resides in Anguwan Dodo, Gwagwalada, Abuja, was arrested on December 7 at about 3:30 pm by operatives of the Mabushi Police Division following what authorities described as credible intelligence.
According to counterinsurgency expert Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the development on X on Tuesday, Abubakar had allegedly contacted a serving soldier, Corporal Yusuf Mohammed, seeking assistance to procure 1,000 rounds of ammunition.
The ammunition, he claimed, was intended for bandit groups terrorising parts of Zamfara, with the suspect allegedly offering a financial reward in exchange.
Makama said sources familiar with the investigation revealed that Abubakar reportedly confessed during interrogation that he acted under the instruction of his uncle, Ahmed Yakubu, who resides at the same address in Gwagwalada. Yakubu, suspected to be the key coordinator in the deal, is currently on the run.
“Yakubu allegedly directed him to purchase the ammunition and transport it to Zamfara for bandits operating in their area,” Makama stated.
During the arrest, police operatives recovered ₦170,100, believed to be part of the funds earmarked for the illegal arms transaction.
The FCT Police Command, according to Makama, confirmed that the suspect is in custody and undergoing further investigation. Security personnel are also intensifying efforts to apprehend his fleeing accomplice.
Attempts to obtain official comments from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to her line were not responded to at the time of filing this report.
The arrest comes amid continued concerns over the proliferation of arms and rising banditry in the North-West and the Federal Capital Territory.
