In a major international breakthrough against cross-border criminal networks, Saudi Arabian security operatives have reportedly apprehended two women suspected to be the wife and mother of Ado Aliero, one of Nigeria’s most notorious bandit leaders.
The arrests were carried out in Medina, where the women were allegedly residing under false identities.
The operation, according to insider sources, was intelligence-driven and linked to a broader effort to track fugitives connected to violent insurgencies plaguing Nigeria’s Northwest.
Ado Aliero is a feared figure in Nigeria’s criminal underworld, widely known for orchestrating mass kidnappings and deadly attacks across Zamfara State and neighbouring regions.
His sustained operations have raised concerns over the existence of transnational support networks aiding violent groups within the country.
Security sources indicate that Nigerian and Saudi authorities are now working in close partnership as the investigation progresses.
Though official confirmation of the women’s identities remains pending, intelligence suggests they could provide crucial insights into Aliero’s movements, operations, and funding sources.
Experts believe the arrests could significantly advance efforts to disrupt the command structures of armed groups destabilising northern Nigeria, marking a rare international dimension to the ongoing security challenges facing the region.
