By Ismail Auwal
Niger State Police Command have on Sunday arrested a village head and 10 others over banditry allegation in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Niger State, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Police Public Relations Officer
Wasiu Abiodun, said the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence operation.
In a statement issued on Sunday,Abiodun said that a police team went on a clearance operation of suspected bandits’ hideouts in Tunga-iliya forest following intelligence report received on December 25.
Abiodun added that, the “police team engaged the suspected bandits in a gun battle and arrested eleven of them while five others were fatally wounded”.
He disclosed that the village head of Tunga-iliya and one Summaya Bello who harbours and gives information to bandits were among the arrested suspects.
The police spokesperson said the police had started further investigation into the matter, noting that the suspects would be charged to court later.
He also added that on Christmas day, the police received information that gunmen invaded Unguwan Gambo community in Rafi Local Government Area where they kidnapped four persons.
One of the victims, according to him was rescued unhurt while efforts to rescue the others and arrest the hoodlums were in progress.
