Police operatives attached to Anti-kidnapping unit of State Criminal Investigation Department SCID, Niger State command, has arrested one suspected kidnapper, Mohammed Bande, a.k.a Kachalla, of Saminaka Village of Lapai LGA of Niger State for being in possession N1,707,000, in an attempt to purchase arms and ammunition for AK 47 rifle.
The force Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, Niger State Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, in a press release obtained by Newsline, said the suspect was arrested at Lambata, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State, based on credible Intelligence. He added that the suspect was picked by the police for being in possession of a huge sum of cash.
According to the statement, the suspect had during interrogation by the police confessed that the money was given to him by one Gora of the same village who was presently at large to purchase arms and ammunition and AK47 from yet to be identified arms dealers at Lambata, at the time of his arrest.
He further confessed that the purpose of the intended procurement of the arms and ammunition, was to boost their business of kidnapping and cattle rustling at Saminaka Village, Lapai, as well as Lamabata and its environs.
He further stated that the suspect, during interrogation, confessed that he was promised N250, 000 as his reward on successful completion of the transaction.
The press release however indicated that efforts were on to apprehend the said Gora who was on the run, while the matter was under investigation by SCID to arrest other culprits.
Niger State Government is to come up with a 30-year Development Plan that will be implemented in phases.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago stated this when he met with the Director General of the Nigeria Country Office, African Development Bank (AfDB), Lamin Barrow, in his office in Abuja.
The meeting was aimed at establishing partnership between the Niger State Government and the AfDB to bring about developmental projects such as construction of schools, irrigation schemes and renewable energy among others.
Governor Umaru Bago explained that the development plan will include developing agriculture, pointing out that for a start, government will take advantage of the large expanse of land and provide 100,000 hectares of land for agricultural activities, while efforts will be intensified for the creation of Agro-Processing Zones and renewable energy.
He highlighted the numerous mineral resources the state was endowed with, and that his administration will leverage on that to woo investors to the state.
The Governor maintained that the state will do its best to ensure investors’ experience of ease of doing business in the state.
The D.G, Nigeria Country Office, AfDB, Lamin Barrow, said the partnership will no doubt bring about the desired development and improve the life of citizens especially those in the rural areas.
He expressed confidence that the Bago led administration has the capacity to deliver dividends of democracy to the people owing to his banking experience.
