The Zamfara State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader, Muhammadu Dan Kani, popularly known as Akki. The suspect, from Funtua in Katsina State, was apprehended on September 17 during ongoing security operations across the state.

Addressing journalists in Gusau on Tuesday, September 29, 2025, Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, confirmed that Akki’s arrest was part of a series of breakthroughs made possible through intelligence-led patrols.

According to the CP, a total of 33 firearms and 257 rounds of live ammunition were recovered in separate operations.

On September 15, operatives intercepted a Toyota Corolla along the Gummi-Sokoto road, concealing weapons in a sack of oranges. Items recovered included:

Four AK-47 rifles

200 rounds of PKT ammunition

28 rounds of AK-47 ammunition

Four empty magazines

The suspect, identified as Nasuru Dawan Jiya, confessed he was transporting the weapons to bandits in Gurusu Village.

Two days later, on September 17, Akki was captured, with security operatives recovering 11 fabricated firearms, 25 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and six live cartridges from him.

Similarly, on September 19, two suspects were arrested along the Gusau-Sokoto Highway near Gada Biyu while transporting 18 fabricated guns on motorcycles.

In a related operation, police also apprehended a known drug dealer, Alhaji Shehu Aliyu, in Gurusu Village on September 14, with nine sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The police further disclosed that on September 21, five kidnapped victims were rescued in Talata Mafara after a gun battle with their abductors. The operation was carried out jointly by police operatives, Community Protection Guards, and vigilantes.

Commending his men for their courage, CP Maikaba assured that the command will sustain the momentum until criminal networks in Zamfara are completely dismantled.

“We remain committed to protecting lives and property. We call on residents to continue supporting us with credible information, as community cooperation is vital in defeating crime,” he said.

The command reiterated its determination to flush out bandits, kidnappers, and drug traffickers from the state.