Two suspected fuel suppliers believed to be supporting bandits operating in neighbouring Bauchi State have been arrested in Gombe State.

This was disclosed in a post shared on X on Thursday by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

According to him, the suspects were apprehended at about 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday during a stop-and-search operation along the Kashere–Futuk Road in Akko Local Government Area of Gombe State.

“The operation followed intelligence reports indicating that bandits terrorising parts of Bauchi were sourcing fuel from Gombe,” Makama wrote.

He said security operatives intercepted a red-tinted Golf 3 vehicle with registration number GME 221 XA, loaded with 29 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

Makama added that the vehicle’s driver, identified as 20-year-old Aliyu Usman from Futuk Village in Alkaleri LGA of Bauchi State, fled the scene and escaped.

Two passengers in the vehicle, Bello Abdullahi, 52, and Sulaiman Musa, 40, both from Futuk Village, were arrested at the scene. The suspects reportedly told investigators that the fuel had been purchased in Billiri, Gombe State.

Security operatives impounded the vehicle and the 29 jerrycans of fuel as exhibits, while investigations continue to determine the suspects’ alleged involvement in supplying fuel to criminal elements.

Authorities are also making efforts to apprehend the fleeing driver and uncover other members of the suspected supply network.

(LEADERSHIP, but headline rejigged)