Operatives of the task force on illegal mining from the Zamfara State Police Command on Tuesday arrested one Mustapha Mohammad, with 954 pieces of suspected explosive materials.

In a statement on Wednesday, spokesperson for the command, Yazid Abubakar, said the recovered materials which the suspect hid in polyethlene bags, was to be delivered to bandits as Improvised Explosive Devices.

Mr Yazid said, “On 27th January, 2027, at about 1615 hours, operatives of the Task Force on Illegal Mining of the command, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, carried out a successful operation which led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with unlawful possession of suspected explosive materials.

“The suspect, Mustapha Mohammad, aged 38 years, was arrested while driving a Toyota Corolla. A thorough search of the vehicle led to the recovery of nine hundred and fifty-four (954) pieces of suspected explosive materials, concealed in polyethylene bags.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the recovered materials are suspected to have been intended for use by bandits as Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).”

Stating that the recovered exhibits were now with the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team for safe custody and detailed analysis, Mr Yazid said investigation was ongoing to determine the source, destination, intended use of the recovered materials, as well as to identify and apprehend other possible accomplices connected to the crime.