The Zamfara State Government says 80 persons have been arrested for allegedly providing assistance to bandits.
They were taken into custody for alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping for ransom and illegal possession of firearms.
Chairman, Committee on Prosecution of Banditry and Related Offences, Abdullahi Shinkafi, made this known on Tuesday when he addressed the media in Gusau, the state capital.
The suspects arrested by government forces, including women, were suspected informants, and suppliers of food, drug, military camouflage and police uniforms.
Shinkafi disclosed that security agencies were investigating their level of participation in criminal activities.
”Others have already been charged to court to face charges of their involvement”, he said.
Shinkafi explained that the resurgence of banditry and kidnapping was due to the bombardment of camps by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The chairman said a number of the outlaws were neutralised or dislodged from their hideouts.
He confirmed that insecurity was part of the reasons the government suspended political rallies and campaigns.
Shinkafi condemned the recent murders in Gusau, Tsafe, Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka Bungudu, Maru, Maradun and Kaura Namoda local government areas.
“Government is also touched by the killings of some of our gallant security operatives who lost their lives in our defense”, he added.
