How Police Prevented Bandits From Attacking Communities In Niger State – Police

By Wasiu Abiodun

Niger State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that, as the clearance operation against banditry, kidnapping and other crime is deepened in the State, it is important to reiterate that on 12 January 2023 at about 23:55 hours, a distress call was received from Maje village via Nasko Magama Local Government Area that some suspected armed bandits were making efforts to invade a residence in the village.

Police tactical teams attached to Nasko Division were immediately mobilized to the Area and on sighting the Police teams, the hoodlums opened fire at the teams and a gun duel ensued, as a result of this, one of the bandits was neutralized and his AK-49 rifle was recovered from the scene, while others escaped into the forest with bullet injuries.

However, the teams are still on the trail of the hoodlums for possible arrest of other survivors.

Earlier on 08 January 2023 at about 14:30 hours, acting on a tip-off that some suspected armed bandits who had kidnapped a driver few days ago along Kuka-Babanna road, New-Bussa Borgu Local Government Area arranged to collect ransom for the release of the driver.

Consequently, joint tactical teams of Police, Military and local vigilantes mobilized and trailed the hoodlums to a nearby forest where the bandits were engaged in a gun battle.

Fortunately, three among the hoodlums were neutralized while scores of them escaped with gunshot injuries.

However, one pump action rifle with four cartridges and two single barrel guns were recovered.

The victim (driver) was rescued unhurt and he was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for medical assessment and examination, while further effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, on 31 December 2022 at about 09:30 hours, following a tip-off that some armed bandits were sighted at Wawa forest reserve, New-Bussa, Police tactical teams were drafted to the forest and on sighting the teams; the bandits took to their heels and abandoned one type-06 rifle without magazine at the scene.

The rifle was recovered, meanwhile the clearance operation continues which will be sustained with a view to ensure that a lasting peace is restored in the State.

FOUR SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR VANDALIZATION OF COMMUNICATION MAST/THEFT OF INVERTER BATTERIES

On 9 January 2023 at about 02:30 hours, information was received from Duma village via Lavun Local Government Area that, about four men trespassed into a communication mast site, vandalized and stole five inverter batteries belonging to the communication organization.

On receipt of the information, Policemen attached to Enagi Division mobilized to the scene and arrested the following suspects

-Monday Chukwuemeka 44 years ‘male’ of Lekki-Ilesha, Lagos
-Ikechukwu Fidelis 30 years ‘male’ of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos
-Anthony Ele Anthony 29 years ‘male’ of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos
-Mika Sunday 35 years ‘male’ of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos

Suspects confessed to the crime and claimed that they were invited by a yet to be identified person.

They further confessed that items stolen are to be disposed in Lagos, as they specialized in such vandalization in which they vandalized a similar infrastructure in the year 2022 along Benin-Asaba express road, Delta State.

However, investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.

Exhibits recovered from the suspects are:
-5kg cylinder gas -Micro-welding instrument

-Five inverter batteries and

-One Opel-wagon vehicle with Registration Number: JJJ-108HL Lagos.

THREE SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ARMED ROBBERY/RECOVERY OF TWO BARRETTA PISTOLS.

On 17 December 2022 at about 02:30 hours, based on information received from the VIO computerised office Suleja that, about twelve hoodlums armed with different dangerous weapons, attacked and robbed the office of some valuable items such as laptops, handsets, car batteries, and sum cash of money, with the intention of stealing a Mikano power generator there-in, Police detectives swung into action and arrested the following suspects in connection with the robbery.

-Samuel Ekemazie of Zuba FCT, Abuja
-John Ezegu of Akwanga, Nassarawa State
-Obiora Godwin of Plateau State

During interrogation, suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned other members of the gang as Chinedu, Johnson, Mustapha, Godwin, Koffi, Black, and one Alhaji who were part of the robbery incident but presently at large.

Further investigations revealed that, the syndicate specializes in vandalizing Mikano generating plants, while John a.k.a yellow and Obiora were later arrested with two barretta pistols and seven rounds of 9mm live ammunition at Akwanga, as Samuel was arrested at the scene.

Effort is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members, as all suspects arrested have been arraigned in court for prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Ogundele J. Ayodeji, appreciates Nigerlites, members of the public for the confidence they have in the Police Command by giving useful information which led to these achievements.

He encourages the good people of the State to continue to support and cooperate with the Police and security agencies towards making our environment more habitable and peaceful

@views exclusive rights: DSP Wasiu A. ABIODUN, PPRO, For: Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, 13th January, 2023.