The Niger State Police Command says it has arrested a spiritual consultant to bandits terrorising the State who were planning to abduct worshippers in a Church at Buku village, Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Niger Police Spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement in Minna that Police operatives attached to Intelligence unit of the command arrested Umar Samaila of Gussasu village via Maikunkele, Bosso LGA in connection with the planned crime.
He explained that on November 20 at about 1120 hours, the Police were tipped about a plan to kidnap some worshipers on November 21 in a Church at Buku village, Abaji Area Council of FCT Abuja.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed of being the spiritual leader to some notorious bandits hibernating in Niger, FCT Abuja and Nasarawa States.
During his last conversation with his gang on same date at about 0720 hours, he directed them to go ahead for the operation and assured them of success.
He also promised to pray for the release of a suspected bandit known as ‘JULLI’ currently in Police custody at Abuja.
The Spokesperson said the suspect will be transferred to FCT command, Abuja for further investigation.
Similarly on November on 16 at about 1700 hours, arrested some suspected kidnapppers and cattle rustlers, sighted at Maijaki forest via Lapai and Rafindaji forest, boundary between Niger and FCT Abuja.
On receipt of this information, a joint Police/vigilante attached to Lapai division were mobilized to the forests and arrested the four suspects with forty cows and fifteen sheep in their possession.
During interrogation, the suspects claimed to be rearing cattle in the said forests but could not give satisfactory account of the cattle in their possession.
The Spokesperson said the case is under investigation while the suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution immediately after investigation is concluded.
