Police in northwest Nigeria’s Kebbi State have arrested a 27-year-old man suspected of banditry and recovered two locally made firearms and four cartridges, authorities said on Tuesday.
The suspect, identified as Buba Garba, was apprehended by police operatives and local vigilantes in Tungar Gwani village, Illo district of Bagudo Local Government Area, following what officers described as credible intelligence.
Police said Garba, a resident of Takalafiya village in Suru LGA, attempted to resist arrest by attacking one of the vigilantes with a knife.
The victim sustained serious injuries to his buttocks and left hand and was taken to a nearby medical facility, where he is said to be responding to treatment.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of one locally made gun known as a Wagila, a locally fabricated barrel pistol, and four live cartridges, according to police.
Commissioner of Police Bello M. Sani commended the Divisional Police Officer in Illo and his team for their swift response and the use of intelligence-led policing in the operation.
Sani urged officers to maintain close cooperation with local vigilante groups and community members, saying such partnerships were vital to tackling insecurity across the state.
He also directed that the suspect and recovered exhibits be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi for further investigation.
Police believe the arrest could help uncover other members of a criminal network operating in the area, and investigators are working to trace the group’s activities.
Sani appealed to residents to continue providing timely and accurate information to the police and other security agencies, stressing that community support remained essential to defeating banditry and other crimes in Kebbi State.