Police in Niger State have arrested Mai-Angwan of Guiwa village in Mashegu Local Government area of the state, Mallam Garba Mohammed for aiding and abetting banditry.
Garba was arrested along with 13 of his subjects on May 23 by a team of policemen and local vigilante.
Items found in the possession of the traditional ruler include four motorcycles and ten cattle believed to be procedes of banditry and cattle rustling.
All the suspects were arrested during the ongoing clearance operation by a joint team of police officers and vigilantes targeting bandits’ camps and hideouts in Guiwa and Telle villages.
Spokesman of the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest of the traditional ruler and other 13 individuals in a statement on Sunday.
The police specifically accused the traditional ruler of providing shelter and logistical support to the bandits.
The statement reads in part : “In furtherance of clearance operations in Mashegu areas against banditry and other violent crimes, on 22nd May, 2025 Police operatives and vigilante members conducted clearance operations in some identified kidnappers’ hideouts in Mashegu LGA such as Magaman-Daji forest and its environs, and in the process, most of the suspected kidnappers fled from the scene and others were believed to have escaped with gunshots injuries.
“Similarly, on 23rd May, 2025, at about 9am, in continuation of this operation, the team stormed Guiwa and Telle villages based on credible information received, and the Mai-Angwan of Guiwa village Mall. Garba Mohammed was arrested for screening and aiding banditry activities, using his house as a hideout, with recovery of four motorcycles kept in his custody and ten cattle.
“Thirteen others were also arrested in different locations within Mashegu LGA for similar reasons.
“However, they are under interrogation, and an investigation is in progress to ascertain their roles and involvement in banditry activities in the area.”
(vitalnewsngr.com)
