The Police have announced the arrest of a former officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), who has been implicated in supplying military camouflage and other gear to terrorists operating in Zamfara State.
Identified as Ahmed Mohammed, the dismissed NAF officer was previously stationed at the Air Force Base in Kaduna and had a service tenure of five years before facing a military court-martial for undisclosed charges.
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According to ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police spokesperson, Mohammed collaborated with Mushiri Abubakar to facilitate the distribution of military camouflage and related items to various criminal factions, including notorious bandit Bello Turji and his associates, known for their reign of terror in Zamfara State.
The suspects were apprehended during the interception of a shipment from Kaduna to Zamfara, where 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 camel packs, along with other military gear, were seized. The recovered items also included military hats, cardigans, T-shirts, belts, and anklets.
The senior police officer said, “On 20/12/2023 at about 1230hrs the operatives of the FID-STS intercepted the movement of military accoutrements from Kaduna to Zamfara state precisely Shinkafi LGA.
“In the process, a spot search was conducted and the following items were recovered; 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 pieces of camel pack, 12 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 t-shirts, 2 belts, and 3 anklets.
“The two suspects were arrested. The Mushiri Abubakar is a childhood friend of one Air Force personnel attached to the Air Force base in Kaduna state who served for only five years before being court marshalled and introduced the idea of selling military accoutrements to Mushiri Abubakar.
“Further investigation revealed that same Mushiri Abubakar had supplied military materials to the Notorious Bello Turji.
Speaking further, the police spokesman told journalists that the operatives had resolved to dismantle the criminal syndicate, particularly those supplying arms and ammunition to terrorists before going after the main criminals.