Police foil robbery at mining site, arrest two suspects with 16 bags of Indian hemp in Niger State

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have foiled an armed robbery at a mining site in Gurara Local Government Area of the state and recovered one AK-47 rifle. 

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, September 17, 2023, said two suspects were arrested with 16 bags of Indian hemp in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state. 

“On 16/09/2023 at about 1930hrs, Information was received that some group of suspected armed robbers invaded a mining site at Iwa village via Gawu-Babangida, Gurara LGA,” the statement read.

“Consequently, the Police tactical team attached to Gawu-Babangida Div and vigilante men were mobilized to the scene, and the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel.”

“However, due to the superior firepower of the Police team, the hoodlums escaped from the scene through the nearby forest, while some of them were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries

“In a follow-up to the gun duel, the Police team thoroughly combed the nearby forest and in the process, one AK-47 rifle with one empty magazine was recovered from the forest,”

DSP Abiodun added that the robbery victims were rescued unhurt, while effort is on top gear to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The spokesperson said the two suspected drug dealers were arrested based on credible intelligence and confessed that they have been into the business together for almost eight months.

“On 6/09/2023 at about 0010hrs, based on credible intelligence received, Police operatives attached to Mokwa Div arrested two suspects; Auta Umar Saidu 25yrs and Mohammed Bala, 52yrs both of Mokwa,” the PPRO said. 

“The said Auta was intercepted and arrested at Muwo village during an attempt to ferry sixteen bags of suspected Indian hemp to Ndayako village

“During interrogation, Auta confessed that he was sent by Bala to receive the bags from one Lawali who brought the items from Ondo state, and he took the delivery, while Lawali left back.

“Bala was later arrested and both confessed that the bags were for sale, and they have been into such business together for almost eight months. The suspects were transferred to SCID Minna and they have been arraigned in court for prosecution,”