Village head, 13 others arrested for alleged link to banditry

Security operatives in Niger State have arrested the village head of Guiwa, identified as Mai Anguwa Garba Mohammed, and 13 others over alleged collaboration with armed bandits in Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.

The development was disclosed in a post on Sunday by security analyst Zagazola Makama via his verified X handle.

According to the report, the arrests were made on May 23 during a clearance operation conducted by a joint team of police officers, hunters, and local vigilantes targeting bandit camps and hideouts in Guiwa and Telle villages.

The village head was arrested on suspicion of providing shelter and logistical support to the bandits, while the 13 others, who are residents of various nearby communities, were accused of similar complicity.

Those arrested include Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu of Pallagi; Oro Abubakar of Arera; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi, all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; and Babuga Saidu of Lumma.

Makama stated that during a search of the village head’s residence, operatives recovered four motorcycles, one live cartridge, and ten cattle believed to have been stolen.

Three of the cattle, which were found with injuries, were slaughtered to prevent further suffering.

Security sources in Niger State confirmed that investigations are ongoing, adding that the operation was part of broader efforts to dismantle networks of support for criminal elements in the region.