The Niger State Police Command says it has neutralised four gunmen in separate operations against suspected bandits and kidnappers in the state.
A statement by the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Wasiu Abiodun on Friday said seven others were also arrested on vandalism and armed robbery claims.
Abiodun stated that a distress call was received on January 12th around 11:55 pm from Maje village via Nasko Magama Local Government Area (LGA) where several suspected armed bandits were making efforts to invade a residence in the village.
When the suspects’ sighted police tactical teams deployed from Nasko Division, they were reportedly engaged in a gun duel, leading to the neutralisation of one bandit while his AK-49 rifle was recovered from the scene. Others, however, escaped into the forest with bullet injuries.
Also, on January 8th around 12:30 pm, the police acted on a tip-off that some suspected armed bandits who had kidnapped a driver a few days before along Kuka-Babanna Road, New-Bussa Borgu LGA arranged to collect ransom for the release of the driver.
Joint tactical teams of police, military, and local vigilantes were said to have been mobilised and trailed the suspects to a nearby forest where the bandits were engaged in a gun battle during which three hoodlums were neutralised and scores of others escaped with gunshot injuries.
One pump action rifle with four cartridges and two single-barrel guns were recovered.
In another incident on January 9th, around 2:30 am, the police received information from Duma village via Lavun LGA that about four men trespassed into a communication mast site, vandalised, and stole five inverter batteries belonging to the communication organisation.
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 31/12/2022 at about 0930hrs, 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.
