Police have arrested three persons suspected of involvement in banditry activities in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to sources, the suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Monday during an operation in the Gulu axis of Lapai. Two AK-47 rifles and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were reportedly recovered during the arrest.
The development comes amid growing concerns raised by some residents over the increasing movement and settlement of herders in parts of Lapai, including areas behind the Local Government Secretariat, around the Royal Suite vicinity, the Central Graveyard axis, and Azza community.
Some Fulani residents living around the graveyard axis who spoke with Lapai TV expressed concerns over the arrival of new settlers in the area. They alleged that the newly appointed Miyetti Allah leadership in the area may have facilitated the movement of individuals from different parts of the country into Lapai.
However, when contacted by Lapai TV, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah, Lapai Chapter, Mallam Umar Aliyu, denied the allegation and stated that although he is aware of the presence of the new settlers, he did not invite or direct them to relocate to Lapai.
At the time of filing this report, efforts by Lapai TV to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, for official confirmation were unsuccessful.
Tags
Crime