Police arrest three bandits, free 15 kidnap victims in Niger

The Nigeria Police Force, Niger State Command, said its operatives have rescued 15 abducted victims and arrested three bandits.

DSP Wasiu A. Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement on Friday, said “on 11/05/2022 at about 1330hrs, information was received that suspected armed bandits were sighted at Agigi/Kpashimi forest via Lapai LGA.”

According to him, the command immediately mobilised its officers and men, including vigilante members to the area, who engaged the bandits in gun duel and overpowered them.

He said three suspected bandits were arrested, 15 kidnapped victims were freed while some injured bandits escaped to the forest with bullet wounds.

He further added that two burnt motorcycles were equally recovered from the bandits’ den.

“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 a 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,” he said.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Monday Bala Kuryas, commended the efforts of the tactical teams and urged them to sustain the momentum towards curtailing banditry in the state.