Police, Locals Kill 12 Bandits In Niger State

The police in Niger State have killed nine bandits terrorising communities in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

Three other bandits were also lynched by locals in the area while trying to escape.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed this to Channels Television on Saturday.

He said the bandits attacked Karaya Mahanga and Bakachi villages at about 2:30pm on Saturday, and in response to the attack, the police mobilised men of the special operation codenamed Operation Puff Adder and local vigilantes to the scene.

Abiodun explained that on sighting the security team, the bandits engaged them in a gun duel and in the process, nine of them were killed.

He added that three other bandits tried to escape but met their end at Makujeri, just about four kilometres away from Kagara where they were mobbed by the locals and burned to ashes before the arrival of security operatives.

“We want to set the records straight that, no security operative was killed by the bandits in the attack contrary to speculations making the rounds.

“Also, bandits that were killed are nine in exchange of gunshots and then three by the locals, and not 20,” the command’s spokesman said.

When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government and Chairman of Niger State Committee on Security, Ahmed Matane, told Channels Television that they were investigating the attack.