The Niger State Police Command has arrested 11 suspects in separate operations across the state, recovering a stolen vehicle, two suspected stolen cows, three toy guns, dangerous weapons, suspected cannabis and 16 ATM cards.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a crime bulletin issued on Tuesday, stating that the arrests were made in connection with offences ranging from vehicle theft and robbery to thuggery and cattle rustling.
According to the police, two suspects, Dauda Saidu, 23, of Dindare village in Kaduna State, and Hassan Aliyu, 28, of Faki Ikara, Kaduna State, were arrested in Kano State over the theft of a Volkswagen vehicle stolen about six months ago at Maraban-Gulu in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State.
Following credible intelligence, operatives from Lapai Division took over the case from the Kano State Police Command. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to stealing the vehicle before taking it to Kaduna, where they allegedly used it for commercial transportation between Kaduna and Kano as well as other criminal activities. The stolen vehicle has been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify and reunite it with its rightful owner.
In another operation, operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Division arrested two suspects, Zaradeen Sani, 19, of Bosso, and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20, of Maitumbi, during a surveillance patrol along the M.I. Wushishi Estate junction in Minna.
A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of three plastic pistols and 16 expired ATM cards belonging to different banks. Although the suspects claimed they found the cards during scavenging activities in Lagos, the police said they are strongly suspected of using the toy guns to rob unsuspecting residents in the area. Investigation is ongoing.
The command also arrested five suspected miscreants during a sting operation at Sabon-Titi in Tunga, Minna. The suspects, aged between 17 and 19, were found with a bag containing suspected cannabis, two knives, three cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
During interrogation, they claimed the weapons were assembled for a Maulud celebration and admitted they often engaged in clashes with youths from the Tunga-Maje area. The suspects remain under investigation.
In a separate operation, police patrol officers from Kpakungu Division intercepted a Volkswagen vehicle along the Minna-Bida Road at Gidan-Kwano carrying two cows suspected to have been stolen.
The suspects, Naziru Dahiru and Chibuzor Udokwu, initially claimed the animals had been purchased for resale at Garatu. However, further investigation revealed that the cows were stolen.
The animals were recovered, while the suspects have been charged to court. Police said efforts are ongoing to trace the rightful owner of the recovered livestock.
The Niger State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating crime and urged members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance public safety across the state.
