In August, police in Niger State arrested about 259 suspects over banditry, kidnapping, culpable homicide, rape, farmers/herders conflicts and other crimes.

Commissioner of Police in the state, Monday Kuryas, said on Saturday that the crimes were committed in 25 local government areas of the state.

“We have charged 119 out of the 259 suspects arrested in court. 81 of them are still standing trial,” he said.

He added that 59 suspects were still under investigation at the state Criminal Investigation Bureau, while nine cases had been sent to the state’s Ministry of Justice for vetting and legal advice.

He explained that the command also recovered three locally-made single barrel guns, one Dane gun, and two locally-made pistols with three live cartridges.

The police commissioner also said that the command tackled banditry in Ma’undu village of Mariga Local Government Area, which had been the stronghold of bandits.

He said that the area commanders and Divisional Police Officers in the 25 local government areas have been directed to beef up security architecture in their respective areas of supervision.

“We appeal for support and cooperation from members of the public who can give us intelligence information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in their midst.

“Through well-coordinated security approaches to enhance peaceful coexistence among our people, we are battle-ready to confront any person or group of miscreants undermining the peaceful nature our state is known for,” Mr Kuryas stated.

Armed banditry and mass abductions have grown to discomforting levels in Niger as bandits and Boko Haram insurgents enforce their presence in the hinterlands of the state.