Arms Dealer, NSCDC Officials In Court Over Terrorism And Ammo Supply To Bandits

Arms Dealer, NSCDC Officials In Court Over Terrorism And Ammo Supply To Bandits

An official of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Stephen Okolo, testified on Monday before Justice N.E. Maha of the Federal High Court in Ibadan regarding the arrest and prosecution of three Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) officials and an alleged arms dealer over kidnapping and banditry charges in Oyo State…READ MORE…

Okolo, the prosecution’s first witness (PW1), revealed that advanced technology played a significant role in tracking and apprehending the suspects. He stated, “Following the rise in kidnapping and banditry cases in the Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State and parts of Kwara, the DSS utilized technical expertise and sustained surveillance to detect, trace, and arrest those involved.”

The defendants include NSCDC officers Olamide Okesola, Adedeji Adewale, Asmau Omar, and an unlicensed arms dealer, Emmanuel Olatunji. Okolo further disclosed that the operation began in January 2023, leading to the arrests of two key terrorist leaders, Baguda and Banshile, along with other suspects, including Lawan Buhari, who was allegedly supplying ammunition to the terrorists.

During the court session, a bag containing 1,000 rounds of live ammunition was presented as evidence, and Okolo detailed how the arrests disrupted the supply chain of weapons to the terrorists, reducing kidnapping and banditry in the affected areas.

In his testimony, Buhari (PW2) admitted to supplying AK-47 rifles and ammunition to the defendants, who he claimed were linked to terrorist groups. “Before my arrest and detention, I was approached by the trio to supply arms while I was serving with the Operation Burst security outfit,” Buhari stated.

The DSS prosecution counsel, Mr. T.A. Nurudeen, explained that the defendants face a 15-count amended charge, including conspiracy, terrorism, unlawful arms dealing, and aiding and abetting terrorism.

The defendants pleaded not guilty, and Justice Maha adjourned the case until February 11 for further trial.

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