Mass arrest: Police nab over 259 suspected bandits, kidnappers, murderers in Niger
…as 10 Bethel Baptist students regain freedom
The Nigeria Police in Niger State have launched the biggest crackdown on criminal elements leading to the arrest of several of dozens of suspected bandits, kidnappers, rapists, murderers have in the State
The Commissioner for Police in Niger state, Mr Monday Kuryas, made this known at the State capital, in Minna, on Saturday.
The commissioner said that over 259 suspects have been picked up.
Among them were also those involved in farmers/herders conflicts and other crimes in the state.
The arrests were for crimes committed in 25 local government areas of the state in August.
He said, “We have charged 119 suspects out of the 259 arrested in court, 81 of them are still standing trial.”
He added that 59 suspects were still under investigation at the state Criminal Investigation Bureau.
Nine cases, he said, have been sent to the state’s Ministry of Justice for vetting and legal advice.
He expressed that the command also recovered three locally-made single barrel guns, one Dane gun, and two locally-made pistols with three live cartridges.
The police commissioner also revealed to journalists that the command tackled banditry in Ma’undu village of Mariga Local Government Area, which had been the stronghold of bandits.
He added that Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the 25 local government areas had been directed to beef up security architecture in their respective areas of supervision.
“We appeal for support and cooperation from members of the public who should give us intelligence information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in their midst.
“We are battle ready to confront any person or group of miscreants undermining the peaceful nature our state is known for through well- coordinated security approaches to enhance peaceful coexistence among our people,” Kuryas said.
10 Bethel Baptist students regain freedom in Kaduna
Ten more students abducted by gunmen suspected bandits from the Bethel Baptist Secondary School in Kaduna State have regained their freedom after spending 75 days in their abductors custody.
The Chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab confirmed the students’ release on Saturday
According to him, the students were released on Saturday evening and were reunited with their parents.
Hayab said, “With the release of the 10 students, 21 are still being held by the bandits,” adding that, “What the bandits are doing, is to torture us.”
“We are celebrating the return of 10 students, but we are having the challenge of those parents who have been waiting, and every time their child are not among those released.
“It is very painful, but we thank God that 10 students are back,” he said.
The students of Bethel Baptist were kidnapped on July 5 when a group of armed men, suspected to be Bandits invaded the school in Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
As at the time of filing this report, Police authorities in Kaduna are yet to issue a statement to this effect.
Meanwhile, Nigerian NewsDirect correspondent who spoke with one of the authority in the school report that the students were released after an undisclosed amount of money was paid to the bandits.
He explained that following their release, the students have been reunited with their parents and taken to the hospital for treatment.
A total of 121 students were forcefully taken away from their hostels when the school came under attack by the suspected bandits, later on, 28 of whom were released on July 25, after an unknown ransom was reportedly paid to them.
On August 22, an additional 15 students were freed from the captivity of their abductors
More students were later freed, and the release of the new batch of students on yesterday brings the total number of students who have regained freedom so far to 100.
However, 21 other students of the school are still in the suspected custody.
