The Niger State Police Command has debunked alleged reports that bandits ordered residents of M.I Wushishi Estate in Minna, the state capital to vacate the Estate or get killed.
The state Police Commissioner CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun described the report as untrue in its entirety.
He said, ” The command wishes to respond to a publication circulating in some social media and national dailies that bandits ordered residents of M.I Wushishi Estate to vacate the Estate or get killed. This is untrue and it is a false publication in its entirety”.
He explained, it is important to clarify that on 02/09/2024 at about 1400hrs, a distress was received that some artisan/illegal miners attempted to gain entrance into M.I Wushishi Estate, Minna for their illegal mining activities and the Estate residents resisted, which degenerated into attacking houses and vehicles in the estate, and led to loss of life of one of the miscreants”.
The PRO disclosed that Police patrol teams led by DPO Maitumbi were quickly mobilized to the scene, where they dispersed the miscreants and restored normalcy, adding that “Patrol teams have been stationed in the area to forestall reoccurrence, maintain calm and normalcy”.
Abiodun said it was very unfortunate for news reporters to tag the incident as a bandit related incident.
The police then urged members of the public to disregard the publication, as there was no such threat.
“We are urging news reporters to verify their reports and be responsible in their reportage in the interest of national security, and avoid creating unnecessary panic and tension that could dissuade tourism and business patronages in the capital city and the state as a whole, ” he said.
No bandits ordered M. I Wushishi residents to vacate their homes – Niger Police