The Niger State Police Command’s operatives have successfully prevented an armed robbery at a mining site in Gurara Local Government Area of the state. During the operation, an AK-47 rifle was recovered.
According to DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s spokesperson, who made the announcement in a statement on Sunday, September 17, 2023, two suspects were apprehended with 16 bags of Indian hemp in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.
“On 16/09/2023 at about 19:30hrs, we received information that a group of suspected armed robbers had invaded a mining site at Iwa village via Gawu-Babangida, Gurara LGA,” the statement read.
“Subsequently, the Police tactical team attached to Gawu-Babangida Division and vigilante men were mobilized to the scene, and a gun battle ensued with the hoodlums.”
“However, due to the superior firepower of the Police team, the hoodlums fled from the scene through the nearby forest, with some of them believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.”
“Following the gun battle, the Police team conducted a thorough search of the nearby forest, and as a result, an AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered from the forest,” DSP Abiodun added.
He further stated that the robbery victims were safely rescued, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The spokesperson revealed that the two suspected drug dealers were arrested based on credible intelligence and confessed to their involvement in the illicit trade for nearly eight months.
“On 6/09/2023 at about 00:10hrs, Police operatives attached to Mokwa Division arrested two suspects; Auta Umar Saidu, 25 years old, and Mohammed Bala, 52 years old, both of Mokwa,” the PPRO said.
“Auta was intercepted and arrested at Muwo village while attempting to transport sixteen bags of suspected Indian hemp to Ndayako village.”
“During questioning, Auta admitted that he had been sent by Bala to receive the bags from one Lawali, who had brought the items from Ondo state. Auta took delivery of the bags, while Lawali returned.”
“Bala was subsequently arrested, and both of them confessed that the bags were intended for sale, and they had been conducting such business together for nearly eight months. The suspects were transferred to SCID Minna and have been arraigned in court for prosecution.”
