Five vehicles buying fuel to be siphoned out later for onward transfer to bandits in Katsina forests have been trailed and interdicted, and their owners are making useful statement to police.
Two of the drivers are from Niger Republic.
SP Isah Gambo, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this while parading the suspects during a press briefing at the police command Headquarters on Monday.
“On the 18/9/2021 based on credible intelligence, the command succeeded in arresting some commuters, especially drivers of small vehicles like Golf, Passat, and Peugeot, who are buying fuel in large quantities and going towards Jibiya into the forest to sell to the bandits,” he said.
“The arrested suspects are: Lawal Shu’ain’t, 32, from Maradi, Niger Republic, conveying fuel in ash colour Passat Motor vehicle, with Reg. No. XML 347 AA
“Sani Lawal 28, from Magamar in Jibia LGA, conveying fuel in his blue colour Passat motor vehicle, with registration No. KMC 198 XB;
“Abdulrashid Garba 50, of Daddara village, Jibia LGA, conveying fuel in his Golf III, wagon with registration No. AR 719 KTN
“Tigal Haruna 57, of Kofar Guga Quarters, Katsina, conveying fuel in his Passat motor vehicle with registration number FC 977 LKJ.
The suspects were caught along the Katsina-Jibia road while on their way into the forest.
“In the course of investigation suspects confessed to be selling the fuel at fringes of the forest, contrary to Executive order and other extant laws of the Federation. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.
Shafi’u Haruna of Ungwan Nakaba in Sabuwa LGA of Katsina, another supplier, was caught after the olice staked him out for a while.
He kept coming to buy fuel on a bicycle, and then on a motorcycle.
The police detectives at the said filling station decided to trail him and in the process discovered that he had some 25 litre gallons hidden in an uncompleted building where he was storing the fuel.
In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed that he was piling the fuel to take to the forest for sale.
In the same vein, SP. Gambo also paraded an informant to bandits who specialises in supplying the bandits with bread.
Hamisu Sani 30, of Sabon Garin Motso Motso, Zandam village, Jibia LGA of Katsina State was said to have been warned by both community leaders and security agencies to desist from the illicit business but would not bulge.