Niger gang leader arrested after violent clash

Police in Kontagora Local Government Area Niger State have nabbed one Bilal Aliyu, reported to be the gang leader of some hoodlums known as Sara-Suka, following a clash in which one life was cut off.

The unfortunate incident happened on Wednesday when members of the gang and some vigilante corps members at the Dadin-Kowa and Tudun-Wada areas of Kontagora were reportedly engaged in a free-for-all during which reportedly cut the life of one Abdulkadir Musa short and five others wounded.

Abdullahi Yahaya, an eyewitness, and resident of the place, who spoke on Thursday, 20th of June, said the hoodlums and vigilante clash left many residents traumatised, saying the touts brandished cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.

He said, “I don’t know what led to the fight, but both the hoodlums and the vigilantes were carrying dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, daggers, and bottles. It was very fierce.

“People ran helter-skelter for their lives as the hoodlums scared everyone until the police came and quelled the confusion. Five people were wounded and rushed to the hospital.”

Wasiu Abiodun, the state Police Public Relations Officer, when contacted, confirmed the incident, adding that the police had restored normalcy to the place.

He said, “On 19/6/2024 at about 21:30 hours, information was received that there was a serious fight between vigilante members and some miscreants around Dadin-Kowa and Tudun-Wada areas of Kontagora, which resulted in the death of one Abdulkadir Musa, a.k.a Kure, and five others sustained injuries.

“The Divisional Police Officer, a Division in Kontagora, led the patrol team to the scene, restored normalcy, and took the injured victims to the hospital.

“However, today, around 09:00 hours, the miscreants regrouped at Tudun-Wada for reprisal, and the gang leader, one Bilal Aliyu, and two others were arrested. The incident is under investigation while monitoring continues.”