By Paul Michael
Niger State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested three suspected bandits and rescued 15 kidnapped victims at Agigi/Kpashimi forest via Lapai LGA of the State.
This was contained in a press statement by the Public Relations Officer of the State, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, on Friday. Adding that the suspects were arrested after being overpowered in a gun duel with the tactical team of the Police.
Abiodun gave the names of the suspects as Aliyu Mohammed Dauda aged 19yrs, Wada Usman Shehu aged 20yrs and Mohammed Shehu Abubakar aged 19yrs.
He said, “Sequel to the ongoing onslaught against banditry and other criminality in the state, on 11/05/2022 at about 1330hrs, information was received that suspected armed bandits were sighted at Agigi/ Kpashimi forest via Lapai LGA. “Police tactical team attached to Lapai Division with vigilante members were mobilized to the area where the bandits were engaged in a gun duel and overpowered by the tactical team, while some of the hoodlums escaped into the forest with bullet injuries. “Consequently, three suspects among the bandits were arrested, and fifteen victims abducted by the hoodlums were rescued from the forest.
The suspects arrested are: Aliyu Mohammed Dauda aged 19yrs, Wada Usman Shehu aged 20yrs, both ‘m’ of Maikunkele and Mohammed Shehu Abubakar aged 19yrs ‘m’ of Mayaki village, Lapai “Two burnt motorcycles were equally recovered from their camp. However, the case is under investigation as an effort is ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang. Suspects will be arraigned in court after the investigation.”
In another development, the police repelled an attempt by armed bandits to invade Maraban Dan-Daudu and Jiko villages through Gwada, Shiroro LGA.
Read Also: ‘In wake of NDLEA’s synergy with military, drug cartels in trouble’
The Police alongside vigilante members reportedly engaged the bandits in a gun duel for hours, thereby forcing them (bandits) to escape into the bushes with bullet wounds. “Similarly, on 12/05/2022 at about 0930hrs, armed bandits attempted to invade Maraban Dan-Daudu and Jiko villages via Gwada, Shiroro LGA.
“Joint security team deployed to the area, with vigilante members responded and engaged the bandits in gun duel which lasted for hours. “As a result of this, the bandits were repelled as most of the hoodlums escaped into the forest with bullet injuries after they suffered some casualties.
‘The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command CP Monday Bala Kuryas, fsi commended the efforts of the tactical teams and urged them to sustain the momentum towards curtailing banditry in the state,” Abiodun added.
