Operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) have arrested a notorious bandit, Yahaya Zango, at the Hajj Camp in Abuja while he attempted to disguise as a pilgrim preparing for this year’s pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Zango, who has been on the wanted list of security agencies for alleged involvement in banditry and kidnapping across northern Nigeria, was apprehended during routine screening of intending pilgrims.
According to Daily Trust, sources said that the suspect was intercepted on Sunday while trying to board a bus alongside other pilgrims headed for the airport.
The source disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence which prompted enhanced surveillance and internal screening within the camp.
“Upon close monitoring and verification, the suspect’s identity was uncovered, and he was immediately taken into custody without incident,” one of the sources said.
The suspect is currently undergoing interrogation while further investigations are ongoing to unravel his network and activities.
“His identity was uncovered during close monitoring and verification,” the source revealed. Zango is now in custody, undergoing interrogation as investigations continue to dismantle his criminal network.
In a startling revelation, impeccable sources disclosed that four other individuals with alleged ties to banditry are listed to travel for the 2025 Hajj through Abuja’s international airport.
“Three were arrested upon their return, while one was controversially released under unclear circumstances.”
Among them are Madele, reportedly the father of notorious bandit kingpin Ado Aliero; Bello Bazamfare; a woman believed to be the mother of infamous bandit leader Gwaska Dankarami; and a sibling of Ado Aliero.
The DSS is yet to officially react to the development as of the time of filing this report.
Nigeria is currently battling one of its worse forms of insecurity with efforts made to curtail the development not yielding desired result.
