The Niger State Police Command has apprehended Mallam Garba Mohammed, the village head of Guiwa community, along with 13 others for allegedly providing support and shelter to armed bandits operating in the Mashegu area of Niger State.

According to a statement released by the Command's spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, the arrests were made on Friday, May 23, 2025, during a coordinated raid carried out by police operatives in collaboration with local vigilante groups. The operation targeted known bandit camps and hideouts in Guiwa and Telle villages as part of an ongoing clearance operation against criminal elements in the area.

"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, Mallam Garba Mohammed, was arrested for screening and aiding banditry activities, using his house as a hideout," the police statement revealed.

During the search of Mohammed's residence, authorities recovered four motorcycles and ten cattle, which are believed to be linked to criminal activities. The village head is accused of offering sanctuary and logistical support to bandits who have been terrorizing communities in the region.

The police statement further noted that a day earlier, on May 22nd, security forces had conducted raids on suspected kidnappers' hideouts in Mashegu Local Government Area, including the Magaman-Daji forest and surrounding areas. During this operation, most of the suspected kidnappers fled the scene, with some believed to have escaped with gunshot injuries.

The arrest of a traditional leader for alleged complicity in banditry activities highlights the complex security challenges facing Niger State, where armed groups have established networks of informants and collaborators within local communities.

The Niger State Police Command has not provided further details about the identities of the other 13 individuals arrested alongside the village head or the specific charges they might face. However, the police have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing clearance operations against criminal elements across the state.

This development comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to combat the rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes in Nigeria's North-Central region.