The Nigeria Police Force, Niger state command has arrested a district head, a vigilante head suspected to have fled Kaduna State, Lawal Kwali and 10 others over alleged kidnapping and cattle rustling links in the State.
Police said the suspects were arrested at different locations in Shiroro local government area of the State by the operatives of the Special Tactical Squad put in place by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotu.
The district head was said to have been indicted for allegedly supplying weapons to bandits terrorizing the communities in the three local government areas of Shiroro, Sarkin Pawa and Rafi.
Villagers who spoke on condition of anonymity to newsmen alleged that the district head was arrested while conveying some sized weapons to Minna.
One of the villagers alleged that the embattled district head had a covering letter from an unnamed local government chairman in the area.
The Vigilante head on the hand, our correspondent learnt, has been on police wanted list in Kaduna and Niger states for along time.
He was said to have fled Kaduna where he was been trailed for criminal activities to Allawa in Shiroro local government area of Niger State.
He was arrested alongside some his members for allegedly terrorizing residents in Allawa, Sarkin Pawa and Pandogari among others.
The State Police Command’s Public Relation Officer, ASP Mohammed Dan-Inna Abubakar who confirmed the incident, said the arrest of Kwali and some of his gang members was a significant breakthrough in the on-going war against criminal elements in the state.
He said the suspects have made useful statements that would help the Police in its investigation, even as he revealed that operatives are on the trail of some fleeing members of the gang.
