Security operatives have arrested the village head of Guiwa in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, along with 13 others, for allegedly aiding and abetting armed bandits.

According to information shared on Sunday by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency expert focused on the Lake Chad region, the arrests were conducted on May 23, 2025, during an ongoing clearance operation by a joint team comprising police officers, hunters, and local vigilantes.

The village head, identified as Mai Anguwa Garba Mohammed, was reportedly apprehended on reasonable suspicion of providing shelter and logistical support to bandits operating in the area.

The other 13 suspects arrested alongside the village head include residents from various nearby communities. They are: Alhaji Abdullahi Shehu from Wawa village in Borgu LGA; Umar Abubakar from Gwajibo; Shehu Alhaji Ardo from Adogon Mallam; and Umar Abdullahi, Ibrahim Abubakar, Saidu Mohammed, and Babuga Abdullahi, all from Lumma.

Others include Mohamadu Bako from Gwajibo; Babuga Saidu from Lumma; Musa Mohammed from Telle village; Mohammed Abubakar from Dukku in Rijau LGA; Molema Aliyu from Pallagi; and Oro Abubakar from Arera.

During a search of the village head's residence, security operatives reportedly recovered four motorcycles, one live cartridge, and ten cattle believed to have been stolen by the bandits. Three of the injured cattle were slaughtered to prevent further suffering.

Sources from the Niger State Police Command have confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects' involvement with the bandits.

This arrest comes amid intensified efforts by security agencies to combat the rising cases of banditry and kidnapping across northern Nigeria, particularly in states like Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina.

The involvement of community leaders in aiding criminal activities has been identified as one of the factors complicating the fight against insecurity in the region.