By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger State Police Command has disclaimed reports on social media claiming that there are influx of armed bandits who have also taken over parts of Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of the state prompting the imposition of curfew in the area.
The police authorities in the state said, “Niger state police command wishes to respond to a piece of fake news circulating in some social media which indicates that armed bandits attacked military check point at Zuma Rock and that there was massive influx of the bandits into Niger state via Birnin-Gwari area”.
A press statement by DSP Wasiu Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) for the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, said the fake report also indicated that the DPO/DSS Rafi LGA affirmed the massive movements of bandits into Niger state.
The statement said: “The Command wishes to unequivocally state that the report is false, untrue and it only exists in the figment of the imagination of mischief makers whose intention is to cause panic in the public domain by originating such a report”.
“Such report is fake. It is the part that stated that 24hrs curfew have been placed in Kagara that is most annoying and unacceptable. It is pertinent to state that no curfew of any kind was imposed and no report from DPO/DSS in Rafi LGA. and there was equally no report of armed bandits attack at Zuma Rock, Suleja”.
The state police command therefore enjoins members of the public to "disregard such fabricated report aimed at causing fears, panic and undue tension in the affected areas" . He however urged Nigerlites to go about their lawful businesses.
“I urge citizens of the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation, molestation or any form of attack, as the Police and other security agencies are working assiduously to guaranteed secured environment for all”.
The Command, according to the statement, is not privy to the modus operandi of armed bandits as regards to reprisals, due to some successes recorded against the hoodlums during their recent escapades in some parts of the state.
While assuring that strategies are being put in place to curtail such moves if at all there is any, the command is calling on all Nigerlites to support the police and other security agencies with accurate information needed to rid the state of all form of crime and criminalities. NNL
