The police command in Yobe says it has captured a suspected bandits’ kingpin in Ngalda, Fika LGA.

SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesman who disclosed this in a statement in Damaturu on Tuesday, said a locally made pistol and three cartridges were recovered during the arrest.

He said the arrest was in response to a robbery attack allegedly masterminded by the kingpin on Ngalda Market on Monday, which resulted in seven deaths and 11 injuries.

“On January 20, 2025, at approximately 2100 hrs, a group of six armed robbers attacked three shops at Ngalda Market.

“The incident resulted in seven fatalities and 11 injuries. The robbers made off with approximately N16,500,000,” Mr Abdulkarim said.

The spokesman said irate youths in the area mobilised and killed three of the attackers while three others fled with injuries.

He said victims and corpses were evacuated to the General Hospital, Fika, for medical treatment and autopsy, respectively.

Mr Abdulkarim said the state’s commissioner of police, Garba Ahmed, had ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and called for calm.

“He tasked personnel to arrest fleeing syndicate members and urged the public to assist the command with credible information,” the police spokesman said.

(NAN)