By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Kwara State Police Command has arrested 19 suspects in connection with the recent armed robbery attack on Kaiama communities.
The robbery gang had attacked Tunga, Maje, Nuku and Woro among others on the 22nd of January this year.
No fewer than four men of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria lost their lives during the robbery attack.
The slain vigilantes were said to have been killed during gun duel with the armed bandits during the attack.
The gang led by 35-year-old Tukur Ibrahim popularly known as Commander reportedly invaded the village armed with sophisticated guns and other dangerous weapons.
It was learnt that robbers attacked the villagers and dispossessed them of their belongings at gunpoint, which include mobile phones, electronics, cow, goats and food items.
The robbers were said to have also inflicted their victims with injuries with their weapons.
Those arrested are Tukur Ibrahim, Tambaya Bello, Ibrahim Gambo, Ibrahim Umar, Abdulahi Bako and Joseph Isaiah.
Other suspects are Umar Beto, Muhammed Bello, SAlihu Ibrahim, Ibrahim Chiroma, Mohammed Babari, Usman Abdullahi, Usman Babarige, Umaru Keriwa, Ibrahim shuaibu, Muhammadu Sanni, Adamu Abubakar and Abubakar Bahasi.
The suspects were said to hail from settlements in Kwara and Niger States.
A police source told this medium that a special strike force of the F-SARS and 15 PMF ‘MOPOL’ effected arrest of the suspects.
“The policemen were drafted to the Wildlife National Park, Niger State where the robbbers took refuge and there was exchange of gunfire.
“The police were able to overpower them and in the process arrested some of the armed robbers.
“The gang leader, Tukur, who escaped was arrested alongside two of his gang members following intelligence report.
Items recovered from them are three AK 47 rifles, eight 8.62mm live ammunition, one army camouflage uniform, one cutlass, phones, small bags containing and criminal charms,” he further disclosed.
It was further learnt that one of the group members, Bugaho Dogo,who was arrested in Kanji, Niger State by operatives of the DSS and military joint task force but later died in the hospital at Kaiama.
Joseph Isaiah aka Yellow was named as the gun runner for the gang.
“They all confessed to the robbery attack and other crimes. Investigation is ongoing to get other suspects who are now at large,” the police source added.
The state Police spokesperson, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi, who confirmed the development, when contacted, said the case is still being investigated.
He added that some other suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery attack but declined to give the number of suspects arrested.
“Police are on top of the situation. Some suspects are cooling their heels in police net and helping the police to get their other members arrested. I can’t confirm any number but they are currently undergoing investigation.
