Troops Arrest Bandit Kingpin ‘Jabi Ruwa’, 4 Others In Sokoto, Zamfara

Troops of Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) have arrested a “bandit kingpin” identified as Jabi Ruwa and four suspected gang members during a clearance operation in Dambala village of Sokoto and Zamfara State.

A top military source disclosed that the arrests in Sokoto were carried out on Friday as part of an ongoing clearance operation to rid the North-West of banditry, kidnapping, and other heinous crimes.

He stated that the troops raided bandits’ enclaves across Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Zamfara states, resulting in the arrest of some suspected members of Ruwa’s gang taking refuge in Dambala village of Sokoto State.

“On 28 July 2023, acting on credible information about a bandit kingpin named Jabi Ruwa and some of his members taking refuge in Dambala village, the troops of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Gwadabawa and troops of Raka in Sokoto state, in conjunction with local guides, immediately mobilized to Dambala village, where Jabi Ruwa and four other members were apprehended.”

The source disclosed that all the arrested persons are currently undergoing preliminary investigation.

“In another development, on 28 July 2023, troops of OPHD in a sustained clearance operation, cleared bandit enclaves and thoroughfare routes at Sangeko, Kabugu Lamba, Kaboro, and Mairairai villages in Maru Local Government of Zamfara state.

He said the troops maintained aggressive patrols within the villages to eliminate other bandits and deny them the freedom of action within the area.

The Commander Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji, Major General Godwin Mutkut, who is also the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, has commended the troops.

He charged the troops to maintain the momentum and further called on the people of the region to be vigilant and immediately report any suspected persons or activities of the criminals.