The Niger State Police Command has reported the killing of a suspected bandit while he was attempting to pick up 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 after some bandits threatened to kidnap a businessman in the Bako-Mission village.
Abiodun stated that the bandits demanded that the businessman drop N3 million at a specified location in Tunga-Umoru village.
He said that in response, police operatives, along with vigilante members led by the DPO of New-Bussa Division, mobilised to the location.
They engaged the bandits in a gun battle and successfully rescued a female victim, 22 years old, who had been kidnapped earlier.
During the exchange of fire, one of the bandits was neutralised, 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, mobilised 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 neutralised 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 apprehend them.