Police and vigilantes in Niger State have killed three suspected kidnappers at Kokolo forest, Kawo-Auna village, in Magama LGA of Niger State.
The spokesperson for the state police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who made this known, said two AK-47 rifles and 49 live ammunition were recovered.
He said the success was in continuation of the command’s clearance operations in some identified suspected kidnappers’ hideouts.
He said a kidnapped victim was rescued during the operation.
In a related development, operatives of the command arrested a 28-year-old Bashir Abubakar of Kebbi State, for alleged fraud and theft by trick in Kontagora.
The suspect was said to have gone to a shop in New Market, Kontagora, reportedly to buy a mobile phone and accessories valued at over N500,000, where he left behind a bag with the shop attendant, claiming he would return shortly to complete the payment.
Upon inspection, the bag was found to contain pieces of paper arranged to resemble Naira notes.
Abiodun said the suspect was immediately recognized as the same person who was involved in a similar scam in August this year, where he allegedly collected two mobile phones worth N240,000 and left a suspected stolen motorcycle at the scene, claiming he would return with payment-but never did.
The suspect was nearly lynched by an angry mob before police from ‘B’ Division intervened, rescued him, and took him into custody.