Some persons have been arrested in connection with the killing of 18 worshippers in Maza-Kuka, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The state Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, made this known while briefing journalists in Minna on Wednesday.

The commissioner, however, said he could not provide the exact number of those arrested so far.

But when contacted, the Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said six people were arrested in connection with the killing that took place on October 26, 2021.

He gave their names as Mohammed lawali, Suleiman Ibrahim, Mohammed Rebo, Bashir Audu, Monsoru Abubakar and Abubakar Hamidu.

According to him “Investigations by the police team revealed that the gang leader, Mohammed lawali, and some of the gang members are escapees from the Lokoja correctional centre.

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“Bashir Audu was arrested for his criminal role of supplying hard drugs to the gang. Two (2) AK47 rifles, three (3) fully-loaded magazines and various parcels of hard drugs were recovered from them.”

Meanwhile, the commissioner said Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had signed into law the Vigilante Corp Bill to boost the activities of the corps and strengthen the internal security architecture in the state.