Police neutralize armed robber, recover arms in Niger

Police neutralize armed robber, recover arms in Niger
By Aideloje Ojo, Minna
The police in Niger state have neutralized one armed robber in gun battle at toll gate area of Boyi in Gurara local government area of the state.
The state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun disclosed this in a statement on Monday in Minna.
SP Abioudun also said that 16 suspects were arrested for offences including vandalism, drug peddling and possession of firearms.
He said, “On 28/10/2024 at about 0500hrs, a distress call was received that, at about 0230hrs of same date, some suspected armed robbers were attacking residences around Toll-gate area of Boyi, Gurara LGA and robbed occupants of their valuables. On receipt of this, Police tactical team stationed at Boyi outstation attached to Gawu-Babangida Div mobilised to the scene”.
He explained that the team overwhelmed the robbers who were engaged in a fierce gun battle, adding that, ” consequently, one of the hoodlums was neutralized, one Ak-47 rifle and one automatic pump action rifle were recovered”.
According to the PPRO, some of the suspected armed robbers escaped with gunshot injuries during the face-off with men of the command.
He said a suspected drug peddler and seven others including two girls were arrested in Anguwan Daji area of Minna at about 0100hrs on 28/10/2024 by police operatives.
“During the arrest at that odd hour, one double barrel gun, knives, suspected cannabis, face masks and other illicit substances were recovered from the suspects”, he said, adding that in the course of interrogation, one Ibrahim Aliyu confessed to be a drug dealer/peddler within the area.
He said that six other suspected armoured cable vandals were arrested in another operation at Keteren Gwari area of Minna on 27/10/2024.
“The suspects were found to have conspired, vandalized and stole street lights armoured cables along Keteren-Gwari road, Minna” he said. He added that two other persons were arrested for theft of motorcycle inside Minna metropolis.