The Niger State Police Command has dismissed recent social media and newspaper reports claiming that bandits have threatened residents of M.I. Wushishi Estate in Minna to either vacate their homes or face death. The police have labeled these reports as “false” and “untrue.”
In a statement issued by SP Wasiu Abiodun, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, the police clarified that on September 2, 2024, at approximately 2:00 PM, they received a distress call about illegal miners attempting to enter M.I. Wushishi Estate for unauthorized mining.
The police explained that the estate’s residents resisted the intrusion, which led to a confrontation, damaging both houses and vehicles. During the incident, one of the intruders was killed. The police dispatched patrol teams led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maitumbi to the scene, quickly dispersing the intruders and restoring order. Patrols are now ongoing in the area to ensure continued peace.
The police urged the public to “ignore these false reports,” stressing that there was no actual threat from bandits. They expressed frustration with how the media reported the incident, labeling it as bandit-related.
In contrast, a report by Punch Newspaper had alleged that amid the ongoing insecurity in Niger State, suspected bandits threatened M.I. Wushishi Estate residents, demanding they leave to avoid being killed. According to the report, the alleged bandits, who were suspected miners, broke into the estate while most of the men were at work, damaging vehicles and breaking windows.
A resident, who chose to remain anonymous, claimed, “We suspect that these hoodlums are miners. They told us to leave our homes or face death. They attacked during the day, causing significant damage. Many residents have already fled the estate out of fear. The state seems unsafe, with various groups causing chaos.”
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