The Niger State Police Command has recovered no fewer than 500 rustled cattle and eight motorcycles abandoned by bandits during an exchange of fire from three local government areas of the state.
The local government areas include Paikoro, Munya and Wushishi.
The command, in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said all the attacks were successfully repelled by officers of the command.
He said on Wednesday, suspected armed bandits invaded Kaffin-Koro, Paikoro LGA, through Adunu village, shooting sporadically, and in the process, two persons sustained bullet injuries while some cattle were rustled.
“The rustled cattle were abandoned by the hoodlums and recovered, while the injured victims were taken to Gen. Hospital Kaffin-Koro and are responding to treatment”.
According to the police, on Monday, gunmen rustled an unspecified number of cattle from Akare, Jiwawa, Gulanji, Kadaura, and some neighbouring villages under Wushishi were trying to cross Tegina-Zungeru road between Garun-Gabas and Yakila villages.
The statement said, “Police/Military tactical teams mobilized and responded swiftly to the scene and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.
“As a result, the bandits abandoned the looted cattle and some of their motorcycles as they scampered in disarray for safety with bullet injuries into the forest.”
Abiodun further revealed that the same Monday, armed bandits attacked Chibani village via Kuchi district, Munya LGA, while police/military tactical teams and vigilante members were mobilised to the area and engaged the bandits in a gun duel.
It added, “the hoodlums were successfully repelled and they abandoned the rustled cattle, as they fled through Rishi Village Kaduna. Unfortunately, two members among the local vigilante lost their lives during the gun fight.”