Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 12 suspected criminals, including alleged members of the Lakurawa, Mamudawa and Boko Haram terrorist groups, in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted over the past month across the state, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, disclosed during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The suspects face a range of allegations, including terrorism, kidnapping, armed robbery and illegal possession of firearms, with the police crediting the successes to effective collaboration with other security agencies, vigilante groups and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
On June 5, 2026, operatives of the Police Mobile Force attached to Illo Division in Bagudo Local Government Area intercepted three suspected members of the Mamudawa/Boko Haram group along the Illo–Lolo Road. The suspects, identified as Muhammadu Bandi, Aliyu Abubakar and Muhammadu Abubakar, were arrested while riding a motorcycle to Lolo town, allegedly to procure food supplies for other members of the group. Preliminary investigations linked the trio to movements around Illo during an attack on June 4, 2026, that claimed the lives of three officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the area. The motorcycle, bearing a foreign registration number, was also recovered. In a separate operation on June 7, 2026, Police Mobile Force personnel on special duty along the Ka’oje–Bakin Ruwa Road in Bagudo Local Government Area arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa group. The suspects, identified as Haruna Abubakar, Abubakar Lawali, Anme Shehu and Yahaya Shehu, are being investigated for their alleged involvement in armed banditry activities within the SODA Forest in Bagudo. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Birnin Kebbi.
The police also arrested Murtala Sani of Zazzagawa Village in Argungu Local Government Area for allegedly providing logistics support to Lakurawa members. The suspect reportedly supplied foodstuffs and soft drinks to the terrorists and was observed on several occasions conveying a suspected Lakurawa member, Amadu Umar, from Zazzagawa town to a criminal enclave. In another operation, police operatives, working alongside vigilante groups and the CJTF, rescued a housewife, Asmau Isah, who was abducted during an attack on her residence in the Bayan Forestry area of Birnin Kebbi on June 10, 2026. The attackers had stolen ₦220,000 and mobile phones before abducting the victim. One suspect, Abubakar Siddi, was arrested during the rescue. The police also arrested Ayuba Ibrahim of Bakin Ruwa in Bagudo LGA for allegedly acting as an informant for bandits operating in the area. A pump-action rifle, three live cartridges and a bag containing items suspected to be linked to criminal activities were recovered from his possession. Additionally, Aliyu Jibrin was arrested in Kwakware Village, Arewa Local Government Area, and a locally made pistol was recovered from him. The police also recovered a stolen Mercedes-Benz C200, which had been reported stolen in Sokoto State, leading to the arrest of one suspect. The police also confirmed the arrest of Faruku Muhammed, a 36-year-old security guard, for the alleged rape of a 10-year-old girl. He reportedly lured the victim into a room within an Islamiyya school in Jega Local Government Area and sexually assaulted her. The suspect will be prosecuted upon the conclusion of investigations.
Hadejia commended the dedication of security personnel and the cooperation of vigilante groups, the CJTF and the Department of State Services (DSS) in achieving the breakthroughs. He urged residents of Kebbi State to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies. All the suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
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