Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have rescued two kidnap victims and arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Bello Ibrahim from Sokoto State.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, March 25, stated that one Umar Dauda, a suspected food supplier to bandits was also arrrested and a locally fabricated revolver gun recovered from his house.
“On 19/03/2022 at about 0100hrs, information received revealed that suspected kidnappers invaded Tundun-wada village via Kaboji, Ukachi and Magama villages, Mashegu LGA,” he stated.
The hoodlums abducted two victims from both Ukachi and Magama villages of Mashegu LGA to unknown hideout.
Upon the receipt of this information, Police tactical teams attached to Mashegu Division in collaboration with the local vigilante members were mobilized and trailed the hoodlums into the forest, based on credible intelligence on their movement.
“Consequently, the team discovered the temporary hideout of the hoodlums within the forest where they were engaged in a gun battle and as a result, one Bello Ibrahim aged 25yrs ‘m’ of Bafarawa via Isa LGA of Sokoto State was apprehended at the scene in possession of one Lar rifle with ten (10) rounds of life ammunition and five handsets while other members of the gang escaped into the forest,”
The two abducted victims, which comprised of a male and a female victims were rescued unhurt.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have belonged to a five-man gang which specializes in kidnapping for ransom, he mentioned other members of the gang as (1) Jamilu (2) Mai-glass (3) Maigari Dan-Alhaji and one other, all ‘m’ of Bafarawa, Sokoto State presently at large. Effort is ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the syndicate as case is under investigation.
“On 16/03/2022 at about 2300hrs, based on a credible intelligence that a suspected supplier of food items and drinks to bandits is frequently being sighted at Kapako village, Lapai
“Police operatives attached to Lapai Division and vigilante members were mobilized to the village and after hours of monitoring and observation, the team arrested one Umar Dauda aged 20yrs ‘m’ of Fulani camp, Kapako village via Lapai, in possession of the following items; six loaves of bread, four bottles of fearless drinks, five Maltina drinks, four wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, some quantity of raw rice and beans and sum of ninety thousand naira,”
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to be a food supplier to bandits and that the hoodlums usually visit his camp at the same village for collection of the food items. He further said that this is the fourth time is supplying such items before being caught.
In the process of further investigation, the suspect’s home was searched and a locally fabricated revolver gun was recovered in his camp. He claimed the ownership of the gun and said that he bought it at the rate of sixty-five thousand naira from a gun fabricator within the same village for his personal protection.
Effort is also ongoing to apprehend the gun fabricator as the case is under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, advised members of the public against colluding with criminals, instead, should provide information to aid the arrest of offenders.
