Police in Niger State said they foiled bandits’ attack on Maraban Dan-Daudu village in Shiroro Local Government Area, rescued 15 victims and arrested three suspected bandits from a forest in Lapai local government area of the state.
DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman of the command, said this in a statement on Friday in Minna.
He said though 15 abducted victims were rescued, scores of bandits escaped into the forest with gun injuries.
Abiodun said the incident occurred on May 12 at about 9.30 a.m. when armed bandits attempted to invade Maraban Dan-Daudu and Jiko villages via Gwada, Shiroro Local Government Area.
“ 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,” the PPRO stated.
“Police tactical team attached to Lapai Division with vigilante members were mobilized to the area where the bandits were engaged in 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,19,Wada Usman Shehu, 20, both of Maikunkele and Mohammed Shehu Abubakar,19, of Mayaki village, Lapai.
He said two burnt motorcycles were recovered from their camp, noting that the case was under investigation as effort was ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
“Two burnt motorcycles were equally recovered from their camp, however, case under investigation as effort is ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang. Suspects will be arraigned in court after investigation,” he added.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, commended the efforts of the tactical teams and urged them to sustain the momentum towards curtailing banditry in the state.
