Nigerian troops have arrested a 25-year-old woman, Shamsiyya Ahadu, accused of supplying ammunition to armed groups linked to notorious bandit leader Turji Bello in Zamfara State, military sources said on Sunday.
Ms Ahadu was apprehended in the Badarawa area of Shinkafi Local Government Area alongside her alleged accomplice, Ahmed Husaini, a motorcycle rider believed to have transported her and the ammunition, according to the sources.
Security operatives recovered 764 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition and six magazines from the suspects at the point of arrest. The calibre is commonly used by assault rifles deployed by armed groups operating in the North-west.
Military officials said preliminary investigations indicate that Ms Ahadu acted as an ammunition courier, specialising in supplying bullets to the arms wing of the Turji Bello camp, one of the most violent bandit factions operating across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Turji Bello has been linked to multiple mass killings, kidnappings, and attacks on rural communities, particularly in Zamfara and Sokoto states. Security forces have intensified operations in recent months to dismantle his network and disrupt supply routes.
Ongoing investigation
The suspects are currently in military custody, where intelligence officers are interrogating them to uncover supply chains, sponsors, and other collaborators connected to the illegal arms trade, the sources said.
Security officials said the arrest underscores the growing role of logistics and courier networks in sustaining armed groups, noting that disrupting ammunition supplies is critical to weakening bandit operations.
Neither the Nigerian Army nor the Defence Headquarters has issued an official public statement as of the time of filing this report.
Public reactions spark debate
The arrest has triggered strong reactions among members of the public, particularly on social media, reflecting widespread frustration over years of insecurity in the North-west.
Some commenters called for swift and severe punishment. “I think there shouldn’t be wasting of time but wasting of their life after the completion of intelligence gathering,” said Obafemi Osho in a comment reacting to the news.
Another commenter, Sadiq Lamidi, urged authorities to execute the suspects after investigations, while others demanded that the suspects reveal their sponsors and wider networks.
“She should tell Nigerians who their sponsors are,” Gideon Udofia wrote.
However, some reactions highlighted moral and legal considerations. Abdulmuahymin Abu Abdillah said punishment should follow due process, adding that “to kill criminals is the work of the Nigerian army, while to accept repentance is the wish of the creator.”
Others expressed relief at the arrest, viewing it as evidence of progress. “God will continue to expose them one after the other,” Tope G. Thompson said.
Due process concerns
Security analysts caution that while public anger is understandable, suspects must be treated in line with the law. Nigeria’s constitution guarantees the right to fair trial, even for individuals accused of terrorism-related offences.
Experts also stress that intelligence derived from suspects is often critical to dismantling wider criminal networks, making thorough investigation essential before prosecution.
For residents of Zamfara, however, the arrest offers a rare moment of cautious optimism in a region battered by years of banditry, displacement, and loss.
As investigations continue, attention will remain on whether the arrests will lead to the exposure of sponsors, arms suppliers, and financial backers who sustain violent groups in Nigeria’s troubled North-west.
