Eleven suspects have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Sokoto for banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state.

The Sokoto NSCDC commandant, Muhammad Dada, gave the figures while addressing newsmen in Sokoto on Monday.

Mr Dada said the suspects were apprehended in collaboration with a vigilante group that operates out of the Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto.

“This development led us to the arrest of seven suspected cattle rustlers identified to belong to a team of bandits terrorising Tureta, Dange-Shuni and Rabah axis of the state.

“Among the suspects is one Alti Shehu, 25, who some years back was arrested by the command, prosecuted in court and sentenced to a term in prison.

“While others are Buba Bello, Abdullahi Hassan, Sani Duna, Abu Gidado, Shehu Modibo and Ibrahim Modi.

“44 rustled cows were recovered from the suspects and are presently secured in the custody of Wurno council,” he said.

The commandant said the command had succeeded in arresting Muhammadu Aminu and Buba Garba, who confessed to being involved in kidnapping and banditry in the state.

“They have admitted in their confessional statement that they were involved in series of kidnappings and killing of innocent people.

“Unfortunately, the sad part of the whole issue is that after an operation they are given an allowance of only N10,000 per operation,” he said.

Mr Dada said that operatives of the command also succeeded in arresting Umar Sanda and Nura Bello, who are suspected bandit informants and food suppliers.

The commandant said that investigation on the suspects is ongoing and upon conclusion, the men would be charged to court.

(NAN)