By Wole Mosadomi, Minna

Police in Niger state have foiled an attempt by a gang of five suspected armed robbers to rob a politician in the state of N8m collected from a commercial Bank in Paiko town, near Minna, the state capital for campaign rallies in parts of the state.

Police sources said the suspected robbers must have gotten vital information relating to the withdrawal of the large sum of money before trailing the politician.

HOW THEY WERE ARRESTED

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Olusola Amore told Crime Alert in Minna that the five suspects were arrested after a tip-off with pistols, live ammunitions and other dangerous weapons on their way to carry out their mission.

He said the state police command has intensified it’s patrol in all parts of the state and assured residents across the state of safety of their lives and property especially during this festive period.

“We have intensified our patrols in all nooks and crannies of the state with a view to apprehending those that will want to undermine the security of the state thereby trying to truncate the peace prevailing in the state,” the Commissioner assured.

ALERTS ON INFLUX OF DISPLACED PEOPLE

Mr. Amore also alerted people of the state on the influx of those displaced from the troubled northern parts of the country and called on all to be more security conscious by reporting any suspicious movement to the police for immediate action.

NO TO THUGGERY

The Commissioner also warned politicians in the state to do away with political thugs ahead of the 2015 political rallies in order to make rallies crisis- free.

Addressing representatives of all registered political parties in the state at the Police Officers Mess, Minna, the Police boss warned political thugs and other trouble makers to steer clear of all political rallies or be arrested adding that such people including their collaborators, will be prosecuted immediately after arrest.

“Political rallies are not meant for thugs. They are meant for the electorate. Politicians who cannot go about without their thugs are warned to desist as we are ready to end thuggery.

RALLY STAKEHOLDERS ON ELECTION

During the meeting which was well attended by all the stakeholders including the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr.Emmanuel Onucheyo, sensitive areas that cause friction during party congresses, party primaries, intra-party and inter party conflict, rallies and campaign violence were extensively discussed.

Other sensitive issues discussed are election violence with emphasis on snatching of ballot boxes, post election violence, political parties , security agents and INEC Officials.

Representatives of most of the political parties including security agents like; the Army, NDLEA, Prisons, FRSC, Customs, Civil Defence, Immigration, Fire Service, SSS among others attended.