Security operatives comprising police officers and vigilantes have arrested the village head of Guiwa, Mallam Garba Mohammed, in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, for allegedly aiding banditry in the region.
The arrest, which took place on Friday, May 23, 2025, around 9 a.m., followed an intelligence-led operation targeting known bandits’ hideouts in the area. Authorities say Mohammed’s residence served as a strategic hideout for bandit meetings and planning.
Spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest during a phone interview with Daily Trust. He explained that the operation was part of a broader crackdown on kidnapping and banditry in the Mashegu axis, specifically in locations such as the Magaman-Daji forest.
According to SP Abiodun, “On May 22, 2025, security personnel conducted clearance operations in known kidnappers’ hideouts in Mashegu LGA. Many suspects fled, some believed to be wounded. The following day, based on credible intelligence, the team stormed Guiwa and Telle villages, arresting Mallam Garba Mohammed for allegedly shielding bandits and storing four motorcycles and ten stolen cattle in his compound.”
In addition to Mohammed, 13 other suspects were arrested in connection with banditry. Although police did not initially release their names, counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama identified them to Daily Trust as: Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu (Wawa village, Borgu LGA), Umar Abubakar and Mohamadu Bako (Gwajibo), Musa Mohammed (Telle village) and Mohammed Abubakar (Dukku, Rijau LGA)
Othrs are Molema Aliyu (Pallagi), Oro Abubakar (Arera), Shehu Alhaji Ardo (Adogon Mallam), Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, Babuga Abdullahi, and Babuga Saidu—all of Lumma in Borgu LGA
A resident of New Bussa also confirmed the arrest of Abdullahi Shehu and five others from Lumma village in Borgu LGA.
SP Abiodun stated that all suspects are currently under interrogation, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement in criminal activities, particularly banditry and kidnapping in Niger State.
