In a major breakthrough in the fight against banditry, security operatives in Niger State have arrested the village head of Guiwa, Mai Anguwa Garba Mohammed, alongside 13 others, for allegedly aiding and abetting armed bandits terrorizing Mashegu Local Government Area.
The suspects were apprehended on May 23, 2025, during a coordinated clearance operation led by the Nigeria Police, in collaboration with local hunters and vigilante groups, targeting notorious bandit enclaves in Guiwa and Telle villages.
According to intelligence sources quoted by Zagazola Makama, the village head was caught on strong suspicion of providing critical shelter and logistical support to the bandits. A subsequent search of his home led to the recovery of four motorcycles, one live cartridge, and ten cattle believed to be stolen from local victims. Three of the animals, found grievously injured, were humanely slaughtered.
Those arrested span several communities across Mashegu and neighboring LGAs. They include:
- Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu (Wawa, Borgu LGA)
- Umar Abubakar and Mohamadu Bako (Gwajibo)
- Musa Mohammed (Telle)
- Mohammed Abubakar (Dukku, Rijau LGA)
- Molema Aliyu (Pallagi)
- Oro Abubakar (Arera)
- Shehu Alhaji Ardo (Adogon Mallam)
- Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, Babuga Abdullahi, and Babuga Saidu (Lumma)
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the arrests and disclosed that investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of the suspects’ involvement.
“We will not relent until every collaborator is brought to justice,” a police spokesperson said, vowing to dismantle all support networks enabling bandit operations in the state.
The arrest of a traditional leader among the suspects has sent shockwaves through the region, reinforcing the urgent need for intensified intelligence-led operations against both armed criminals and their enablers.
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