Nigerian Army troops have killed a notorious terrorists/bandits’ leader terrorising Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Niger State, Alhaji Na Mata.
Sources also confirmed that the bandits’ leader was killed along with some of his fighters.
The source also said some weapons were recovered.
This is just as a report by the Kaduna State Government has said that apart from ransom for kidnapping collected from families of relatives of their victims, which is their major source of funding, the terrorizing bandits have perfected other sources of revenue.
In its third quarter security report submitted to the State government by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, the other sources of revenue include sales of rustled animals, profits from gun running/arms trade and leasing of weapons to other criminal groups.
According to the report, “some gangs rent out their weapons to groups who lack this capacity for a share of proceeds from operations; proceeds from joint operations; mainly kidnapping, with other criminal groups.”
Other sources are “protection levies” imposed on farming communities and individuals.
The report also noted recruitment of informants who manage businesses on behalf of the bandits and remit profits to them.
It also disclosed how the bandits expend the money made through their activities to include purchase of more arms, ammunition and food.
Others include logistics and medical aid, buying of psychotropic substances (drugs), payment of informants/accomplices, establishment of businesses managed by informants and maintenance of marabouts who provide “spiritual support for success” in their operations.