Police kill 3 kidnappers, nab suspected member of notorious bandit group in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has rescued a kidnap victim and neutralized three kidnappers during a gun duel at Kpakiko forest in Mokwa LGA of the state.

The Command also nabbed one Samaila Saidu, 22, suspected to be a member of Kachalla armed bandits group in Izom, Gurara LGA.

The Command made this disclosure through its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in Minna.

Abiodun stated, “On 09/10/2024 at about 0025hrs, report was received at Mokwa Div that a victim was abducted by suspected kidnappers at Takuma village, Mokwa area, and another one was shot on the hand, but taken to hospital for treatment.”

He explained that on the receipt of this, a combined team of Police/vigilante members were mobilized and trailed the suspected kidnappers to Kpakiko forest.

“The Police team engaged and had a gun duel with the hoodlums, three suspected kidnappers were neutralized in the process, and one AK-47 rifle with three live ammunition was recovered. The victim was rescued.”

He said investigation into the kidnapping incident is in progress, while efforts are in top gear to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.

Speaking on the suspected member of an armed bandits group, Samaila Saidu, the PRO said he was arrested at the Izom market on 28 of September, 2024 by by the Crack Squad team of the Command based on actionable technical intelligence.

According to him, “During interrogation, the suspect narrated that he’s from Dansadau area of Zamfara State but now resides in Gwacipe area of Gurara, Niger State. He confessed that he had worked with Kachalla group for over two years and mentioned a series of robberies, cattle rustling and kidnapping.”

He disclosed that Samaila had participated in various banditry attacks in different parts of Niger State, including Mangoro Sarkin-Pawa, Garun-Gabas, Bena Kotonkoro, and Kagara town, among others.