A notorious bandit, who gained notoriety after a video of him brazenly flaunting an assault rifle went viral on social media, has been arrested by the Zamfara State Police Command. The suspect was apprehended in a pre-dawn raid on Tuesday, and a significant cache of weapons and cash was recovered.

The police spokesperson, SP Mohammed Shehu, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued to the press. He identified the suspect as 28-year-old Ibrahim Sani, alias “Sarkin Yanka” (Chief of Butchers), a wanted criminal linked to a series of kidnappings and cattle rustling in the Birnin Magaji and Shinkafi local government areas.

The operation, which was described as “swift and intelligence-led,” was launched after the command’s technical unit tracked the digital footprint of the viral video. In the 30-second clip, the suspect, dressed in a flowing white attire and a red cap, was seen gleefully brandishing an AK-47 rifle while making boastful statements and daring security agencies.

“The video caused significant apprehension among the public, and we immediately made his arrest a top priority,” SP Shehu said. “Our tactical team acted on credible intelligence, which led them to his hideout in a remote village on the outskirts of Gusau.”

During the arrest, the police recovered the exact AK-47 rifle seen in the video, along with two fully-loaded magazines. A search of the suspect’s hideout also yielded a sum of ₦2,850,000 (Two Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira), believed to be proceeds from ransom, several mobile phones, and a substance suspected to be hard drugs.

The Commissioner of Police, Kolo Yusuf, commended the officers for their professionalism and diligence. He also thanked members of the public for their prompt sharing of the video, which he said was instrumental in providing the lead for the arrest.

“This arrest should serve as a strong warning to other criminals who think they can operate with impunity,” the Commissioner stated. “No matter how you try to hide or show off, the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with you. We will not rest until Zamfara is safe for all law-abiding citizens.