Operatives from the Special Tactical Squad of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested Hauwa Yusuf, a 30-year-old woman, for hiding an AK-47 rifle and four AK magazines inside a sack of garri. The arrest took place on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway during a routine stop-and-search operation.
During a press briefing at the Special Tactical Squad Headquarters in Abuja on Friday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that Yusuf confessed to receiving instructions from Aminu Basullube, a notorious bandit operating in Katsina State. Yusuf was directed to deliver the arms to Danum Madam Camp in Katsina State.
Adejobi stated, “On August 14, 2024, based on intelligence, STS operatives intercepted Hauwa Yusuf, 30, from Dutsin-Ma LGA in Katsina State. She was arrested while traveling from Lafia in Nasarawa State to Katsina State in a Sienna Bus on the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway. A search uncovered an AK-47 rifle, which lacked a breach number, and four AK magazines concealed within a white sack of garri. During interrogation, Yusuf admitted that Aminu Basullube, a notorious bandit terrorizing Katsina State, had instructed her to transport the arms to Danum Madam Camp.”
However, Yusuf claimed ignorance regarding the weapon hidden in the sack. She explained, “I was instructed to bring millet, but it was not provided. When I saw what was inside the sack, I was apprehensive. I received ₦130,000 to deliver the garri to Katsina, with my transport fare amounting to ₦15,000. I made a mistake by not asking more questions about the contents.”
Adejobi also reported that on April 29, a team from the FID-STS traveled to Igbowo in Oyo State to investigate Musa Saidu’s activities. The investigation revealed that Saidu had been absent from his community for five years. Upon his return to Kigakwu in Kaduna State, it was noted that Saidu had been spending extravagantly, including purchasing several new BAJAJ motorcycles and twelve cows, totaling ₦5,000,000.
Saidu confessed to these activities and revealed that he was operating under the leadership of Haruna in the Birnin Gwari forest of Kaduna State, using AK-47 rifles. He admitted that he sold twenty-five cows, obtained through his criminal activities in Kaduna State, for ₦4,700,000. This money was then used to buy motorcycles and additional cattle in Igboho, Oyo State.
Saidu explained that his involvement in cattle rustling began after he himself became a victim of such crimes. He stated, “I went to Oyo because of the problems in Kaduna, where my cattle were rustled. Although I understand that cattle rustling is a crime, I resorted to it due to the wrongs done to me. After earning money, I stopped and returned to my village to spend it.”
