In the difficult landscapes of northwest Nigeria, in which banditry is a constant threat to the communities, A major breakthrough occurred on the 6th of September 2025. Nigerian soldiers, in a coordinated effort, captured the female logistics supplier that was deeply entangled within the distribution chain for the notorious groupie head Ado Aliero. The arrest took place in Kucheri, the village of the Tsafe district of Zamfara State, highlighting the constant pursuit by security forces in the fight against organized criminal groups.
A suspect whose job was to facilitate the distribution of vital supplies to Aliero’s operations swiftly admitted during interrogation that he was selling drugs for the bandit’s chief. This revelation revealed the complex logistics that support such groups, ranging from procurement of arms to distribution of narcotics. After her arrest, officers seized cash, weapons, and other items that were incriminating, proving the close ties she has to Aliero’s gang, which has for a long time been terrorizing regions with kidnappings and raids.
This was just one element of a wider campaign that secured six more suspects across the country, which demonstrates the interconnectedness of criminal acts. Within Borno State, near Kwatara Kasa village, soldiers neutralized the Islamic State West Africa Province fighter, thwarting insurgent movements that were based in northeastern Nigeria. Further south, in Mubi South, a local government area in Adamawa State, authorities intercepted two people smuggling fuel, taking 19 jerrycans full of petrol hidden on motorcycles in order to stop the illegal trade that fuels bandit economies.
In the state of Plateau’s Bassa district, and specifically Mista Ali village, a suspected informant died in a search and rescue mission in which the police retrieved two AK-47 rifles in an effort to recover the property that was stolen. In Abuja’s Gwagwalada region, three suspects were tracked down and detained after dumping a vehicle that was stolen from Osun State at a checkpoint. The pursuit led to the vehicle as well as 11 cell phones and N29,700 worth of cash.
These coordinated actions, which include groups like those of the 192nd Battalion and the Guards Brigade along with multi-skilled security units, are a reflection of the strategic effort to break the supply chain and recover illegal assets. Through targeting logistics enablers, such as women suppliers, Nigerian security forces are seeking to weaken the base of individuals like Ado Aliero, fostering greater security in areas that are vulnerable. As investigations continue, this string of arrests indicates advancement in the fight against banditry and other criminals and offers hope for more secure communities across the country.
