Illegal arms: Court remands 57 in Niger prison

A Chief Magistrates’ court in Minna, Niger State, on Friday ordered the remand in prison of 57 suspects arrested in Kpaidna and surrounding villages during an invasion of the community by the Nigerian Army to seize hidden illegal arms.

The Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, Ahmed Bima, who gave the order when the suspects were arraigned, also adjourned to September 6 further mention in the case.

The accused were arraigned on a four-count charge of culpable homicide, causing mischief, being in possession of dangerous weapons and obstructing officers from their lawful duties, contrary to various sections of the penal code.

Last week’s attack on Kpaidna and four other villages had left over 19 people dead, including 12 soldiers.

The attack by a combined team of the Nigerian Army and the Air Force was to take possession of illegal weapons, which intelligence claimed were hidden in the villages.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has confirmed the arrest of a suspected notorious cattle rustler, Abubakar Mohammed, while on a special raid in Katsina State.

The suspect was apprehended on Friday along with two others believed to be members his gang.

The Nigerian Army spokesperson, Col. Sani Usman, in a statement on Saturday, said, “Our combined team carried out special raids along Faskari-Sheme-Mairuwa Road, Katsina State. It was in that process that they arrested a notorious cattle rustler and armed bandit, Abubakar Mohammed (aka Gora), alongside his accomplices; Anas Gora and Bello Sani.

“The team recovered 49 cattle and 25 sheep from them. The suspects were handed over to the police, while the recovered animals have been handed over to the secretary of Faskari Local Government Area, who will return them to the rightful owners.”

Usman stated that troops of 35 Battalion, 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on Friday had killed a suspected cattle rustler on Tsambe-Fafare Road, in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.

The Army spokesman said the operation was carried out following information received from “well-meaning patriotic citizens” that three gunmen were sighted on motorcycles in the area.

Source: PUNCH