Two suspected armed robbers, who are assisting the Niger State Police Command in their investigation, have reportedly narrated how they started robbery because politicians no longer require their services as political thugs.
The suspects – one Faruk Umar, 27, and Umar Mohammed, 23 – both from Ogbomosho Road in the Chanchaga Local Government Area of the state, had been terrorising residents of Sabo Nasarawa in the Bosso Local Government Area of the state for a while.
However, acting based on a tip-off a team of policemen attached to the ‘A’ Division arrested the duo.
Speaking to journalists, Umar said that he and his gang members were thugs working for politicians and since money was not forthcoming from their principals, they resorted to dispossessing unsuspecting residents of their valuables.
He stated,
“Since money is not forthcoming from politicians that use us as thugs, we have to look for alternative ways to make ends meet. We engaged ourselves in armed robbery; it’s unfortunate.
“We have been in this act for almost two years, thinking that if we make enough money, we will go out and establish ourselves. Now that we are in the police net, our future is ruined. “
Umar also disclosed during interrogation that his gang members usually trailed their victims from the Government Lodge, Minna, where they used to wait for politicians to give them money.
It was learnt that one Abubakar Manta of the Sabo Nasarawa area of Chanchaga reported to the police on February 13, 2019, that he was robbed of N300,000 on his way to the bank to deposit the money.
According to him, hoodlums numbering four attacked him by the AYM filling station in Bosso and made away with his N300,000 and one Itel P3 handset valued at N36,000.
It was gathered that a lot of residents have deserted the area due to the activities of the hoodlums.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the arrest, saying operatives were on the trail of the other fleeing member of the gang.
Abubakar said that matter would be charged to court after investigation.
