Armed robbery suspect on military's wanted list arrested

A 40-year-old armed robbery kingpin on the wanted list of the military in Zamfara and Sokoto States has been arrested by security agents in Niger State.

The man, identified as Liman Muhammad, was arrested in Keteringi village of Bida Local Government area of the state, after a year on the run.

Mr Iliyasu Bawa, Senior Special Assistant to Niger governor on Security, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna that the suspect had evaded arrest in the two states.

Bawa added that the arrest was through a joint effort between the security men and the Miyetti Allah Kautal-Hore, the umbrella body of Fulanis in the country.

The governor's aide disclosed that information about the suspect's where about was released to security agents by a woman.

“We were directed by the Niger state government through the Director General Security that the report of cattle rustling in the state was high.

“By this directive, we circulated information to various communities and groups in the state to report to us any information on criminal hideouts.

“On March 9, I received a phone call from a Human Right Activist in Keteringi that a wife of a wanted armed robber from Zamfara state came to him to report that her husband was hiding in Niger state.''

According to him, the man had escaped from Maradun in Zamfara when military personnel raided his home.

He also said the umbrella body of Fulanis, confirmed that the suspect ``is a notorious cattle rustler. ''

The governor's aide added that after thorough investigation, Muhammad was arrested on Saturday morning at Keteringi and brought to Minna the state capital for questioning.

He said that the man would be handed over to the Department of State Security for further questioning and prosecution.