Security operatives comprising the police and Vigilantes have arrested the village head of Guiwa, in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, Garba Mohammed, for allegedly aiding banditrin the LGA and other parts of the state.

The village head was arrested alongside 13 others on Friday at around 9am, following an intelligence report about their alleged involvement with bandits.

Community leaders reportedly used his residence as a hideout, where bandits regularly met to plan their operations.

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests to Daily Trust via telephone.

He stated that the arrests followed clearance operations targeting bandits’ and kidnappers’ hideouts in the Mashegu area.

“On 22nd May, 2025, police operatives and vigilante members conducted clearance operations in some identified kidnappers’ hideouts in Mashegu LGA, such as Magaman-Daji forest and its environs, and in the process, most of the suspected kidnappers fled from the scene and others were believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries.

“On 23rd May, 2025 at about 9 a.m., in continuation of this operation, the team stormed Guiwa and Telle villages based on credible information received, and the Mai-Angwan of Guiwa village, Mall. Garba Mohammed, was arrested for screening and aiding banditry activities, using his house as a hideout with recovery of four motorcycles kept in his custody and ten cattle.

“Thirteen others were also arrested in different locations within Mashegu LGA for similar reasons. However, they are under interrogation and investigation is in progress to ascertain their roles and involvement in banditry activities in the area,” Abiodun explained.

Although the police spokesperson did not provide the names of the other suspects, Zagazola Makama, counter-insurgency expert identified them as Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa village, Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar of Gwajibo; Musa Mohammed of Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar of Dukku, Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu of Pallagi; Oro Abubakar of Arera; Shehu Alhaji Ardo of Adogon Mallam; Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi—all of Lumma; Mohamadu Bako of Gwajibo; and Babuga Saidu of Lumma.

Additionally, a resident of New Bussa confirmed the arrest of Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu of Wawa, along with five others from Lumma in Borgu LGA to Daily Trust.