The Military High Command, on Thursday, said the head of vigilantes in Rigasa area of Kaduna State was arrested because he was allegedly aiding banditry.
Daily Trust had reported how the commander, Aminu Sani, popularly known as Bolo, was arrested by the military.
Briefing reporters in Abuja on Thursday, Brig.-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, the Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, said the troops of Nigerian Army attached to the Operation THUNDER STRIKE and WHIRL PUNCH, arrested Bolo over alleged ties to bandits.
Onyeuko said he was captured by the troops after a notorious bandit was arrested December 3, 2021, at Paka community in Igabi LGA of the State.
He stated that it was the notorious bandit that revealed to troops that the head of vigilantes in Rigasa was aiding banditry in the environment.
”The general security situation in the Operation THUNDER STRIKE/WHIRL PUNCH theatres were relatively calm within the period in focus. However, a few incidents of security concern were recorded.
”In the course of the operations within the period, troops intercepted and arrested criminal elements as well as recovered arms and ammunitions.
”Notably, on 3 December 2021, troops arrested a notorious armed bandit at Paka community in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State, who revealed that the Head of vigilantes in Rigasa aids armed banditry and is involved in some attacks and kidnap incidents in the environment.
”Other incidents with significant results were recorded at; Hayin Gada and Rugan Alhaji Ori villages in Igabi LGA of Kaduna State,” the military spokesman told newsmen at the briefing.
He also disclosed that troops had held peace and security meetings with critical stakeholders as non-kinetic means of tackling insecurity.
