Police Neutralize Bandit Attempting to Collect N3m Ransom in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has reported the demise of a suspected bandit while he tried to collect a N3 million ransom in Borgu Local Government Area of the state

According to a statement released on Thursday by Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in Niger State, the incident occurred when certain bandits threatened to abduct a businessman in Bako-Mission village

Abiodun said that the bandits demanded the businessman drop N3 million at a specified location in Tunga-Umoru village.

He added that in retaliation, law police operatives alongside vigilante members led by the DPO of New-Bussa Division, were deployed to the area.

They confronted the bandits in a gunfight and effectively rescued a 22-year-old female victim who had been abducted earlier

During the shootout, one of the bandits was neutralized, and his AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered

“On 21/02/2024 at about 1030hrs, information was received that four suspected kidnappers threatened a businessman of Bako-Mission village, Pissa District of Borgu LGA to drop a sum of three million naira within three days at a particular location around Tunga-Umoru village, via Pissa District or be kidnapped.

“Immediately after this information was received, the police tactical team, including vigilante members led by the DPO New-Bussa Div swung into action, mobilized to the purported location, adopted an appropriate operational strategy, and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, while one female victim of about 22 years earlier kidnapped was rescued unhurt.

“Fortunately, the team combed the bush and one of the bandits was neutralized during the gun battle, and his AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine were recovered,” the statement reads.

He stated that some of the other bandits managed to escape with gunshot wounds, and efforts are ongoing to arrest them

Kanyi Daily recalls that the Nigerian military is currently conducting a mass burial for its personnel who were killed in an ambush and an air crash in Niger State on August 14.