The Niger State Police Command has arrested two men in separate cases involving illegal possession of firearms and attempted culpable homicide.
In a statement on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, explained that on Friday, 9 October, a patrol team from the New-Bussa Division, working with local vigilantes, stopped 40-year-old Yahaya Dashu from the Daba area of New-Bussa along the Luma-Wawa Road.
Officers found a locally made pistol and one live cartridge in Dashu’s possession. During interrogation, he confessed that the weapon was his and claimed it was for personal protection. He added that he bought it from a blacksmith in Babana, Borgu Local Government Area.
Abiodun said Dashu has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.
In another incident on 13 October at about 8:30 a.m., the Maje Division received a distress call reporting that 26-year-old Shuaibu Adamu of Kaduna Road, a member of a local hunters’ group, had shot 46-year-old driver Adamu Saidu at Suleja Junction with a locally made revolver.
Police operatives quickly arrived at the scene and found Saidu shot in the back. He was rushed to the General Hospital in Suleja for treatment, while Shuaibu was arrested with the weapon in his possession.
Abiodun confirmed that both cases are under investigation and that prosecution will follow in accordance with the law.