The Police High Command revealed on Tuesday how its operatives apprehended a former officer of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) who had been supplying military camouflage and other equipment to bandits operating in Zamfara State.
The dismissed personnel, identified as Ahmed Mohammed, was previously stationed at the Air Force Base in Kaduna. He had served in the air force for only five years before facing a court-martial for undisclosed reasons.
According to police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mohammed partnered with Mushiri Abubakar to distribute military attire to criminal groups, including the notorious bandit Bello Turji and his associates, known for their activities in Zamfara State.
During a media briefing at the headquarters of the Special Tactical Squad-Intelligence Response Team in Abuja, Adejobi disclosed that the police intercepted the duo while they were transporting military gear from Kaduna to Zamfara for the use of bandits.
The items seized during the operation included 10 sets of military camouflage uniforms, 10 pieces of camel packs, 12 military hats, 3 cardigans, 3 T-shirts, 2 belts, and 3 anklets.
Adejobi explained, “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.”
He added that Mushiri Abubakar had previously supplied military materials to the notorious bandit Bello Turji.
The police spokesman emphasized that dismantling criminal syndicates supplying arms and ammunition to bandits was a priority. He noted that depriving the bandits of sophisticated weapons would weaken their ability to terrorize innocent citizens, underscoring the importance of disrupting the network responsible for supplying firearms to criminal elements.
