The village chief of Guiwa, Mashegu Local Government Area, Niger State, and thirteen other people have been taken into custody by security personnel on suspicion of aiding and abetting armed bandits.
This was revealed on Sunday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency specialist specialising in the Lake Chad area, in a post on X.
The arrests were made on May 23, 2025, during an ongoing clearance operation by a combined team of police officers, hunters, and local vigilantes, Makama said, according to intelligence sources.
The report states that Mai Anguwa Garba Mohammed, the local chief, was detained on probable suspicion of giving the bandits sanctuary and logistical support.
Residents of many other communities who are accused of working with the crooks make up the other people who were detained.
Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi, all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; Babuga Saidu of Lumma; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; and Ando Abubakar of Arera were among those arrested.
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“During a search of the village head’s residence, security operatives recovered four motorcycles, one live cartridge, and ten cattle believed to have been stolen by the bandits. Three of the cattle, which were injured, were slaughtered to prevent further suffering.
“Sources from the Niger State Police Command said investigations into the matter are ongoing,” Makama added.
