Police Arrest Suspected Fake Yansakai Members In Niger

Police in Niger State have arrested three men accused of operating as a criminal syndicate under the cover of a Yansakai vigilante group in Mariga Local Government Area.

The suspects were identified in reports as Alhassan Tanko, 25; Basiru Shaibu, 26; and Ishaya Umar, 28, all from Beri in Mariga LGA.

Daily Post and Channels TV reported that police surveillance operatives attached to the Kontagora Area Command arrested the suspects on August 23 after receiving information about their alleged activities around Uraga village.

The state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said preliminary investigation linked the suspects and four others to a seven-member group accused of kidnapping and armed robbery.

Police alleged that the suspects confessed to killing at least three victims during kidnapping operations and stealing motorcycles. They also said a search of the suspects’ houses led to the recovery of a pump-action rifle.

The police said efforts were continuing to arrest other alleged members of the group and a suspected receiver of the stolen motorcycles. The suspects remain in police custody and have not been convicted.

Sources: Daily Post, Channels TV