The Niger State Police Command has arrested 29 suspects in connection with the murder of a village head, cow theft, thuggery, possession of dangerous weapons, robbery and other criminal activities across the state.
The Command disclosed this in its statement issued on Sunday, September 6, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
According to the bulletin, four suspects were arrested over the killing of 53-year-old Bawa Barde, the Village Head of Zhilu in Fuka District, Munya Local Government Area.
The victim was attacked in his residence at about 3am on August 23, 2026. Police operatives attached to Gwada Division, acting on a distress call, rushed to the scene and found him in a pool of blood with serious machete wounds.
He was evacuated to a nearby medical facility, where he was confirmed dead.
Police investigations led to the arrest of Zegi Dogari, 48; Danjuma Galadima, 50; Bashir Umar, 32; and John Doma, 35, between August 25 and 28.
The suspects reportedly confessed to conspiring to attack the village head following disagreements arising from a previous incident involving Bashir and another person.
Police said further investigation revealed that the deceased had warned Bashir, his cousin, to allow grazing routes through his farmland, while other underlying issues allegedly contributed to the attack.
The Command also said Zegi, a herbalist, was suspected of having an affair with the deceased’s wife. He reportedly admitted to the allegation when confronted and was instructed to pay a ₦700,000 fine.
Police said the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation and would soon be arraigned for culpable homicide.
In another operation, police arrested three suspects and recovered a stolen cow after intercepting a Toyota Corolla along the Bida-Minna Road around Gidan-Kwano on August 25.
The surveillance team attached to Kpakungu Division attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver reportedly sped off. The police pursued the vehicle and arrested Tukur Ado, 25; Musa Ibrahim, 42; and Isah Madaki, 50, around Talba Estate Road.
A cow was recovered from the vehicle, with registration number AE 889 KGK. The suspects allegedly confessed to stealing the animal from the Kateregi area of Katcha LGA. The case remains under investigation.
The Command further reported the arrest of nine suspects for alleged thuggery, disturbance of public peace, causing injury and possession of dangerous weapons.
Six suspects were arrested during a raid around Angwan-Kanawa, Kpakungu, on August 24. Police said they were found with suspected cannabis, a cutlass, two scissors, a black bag and other illicit items.
Three other suspects were arrested at Marikichi on August 25 during a fight. One of them, Mustapha Abdulkadir, allegedly used a cutlass to inflict serious injury on Ibrahim Mohammed’s right hand. The injured man was taken to hospital, while the suspects were charged to court.
Police also recovered a locally made pistol at a mining site in Dogon-Ruwa village, following information received from Gada village in Bosso LGA. The firearm has been taken up for investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding its discovery.
Meanwhile, the Command said it recovered a stolen Bajaj motorcycle and arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Jeremiah Dogara, at Diko Junction on September 1.
Dogara, a resident of Kateri village in Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State, was reportedly found attempting to dispose of the motorcycle at a giveaway price without documentation.
According to police, he confessed to stealing the motorcycle from an individual in Kateri in August. The suspect has been charged to court, while efforts are ongoing to identify and locate the rightful owner.
The Command also announced the arrest of 12 suspected miscreants during a midnight raid on identified blackspots around Angwan-Dakoko, Angwan-Kwakwa and Angwan-Gwari in Chanchaga.
Among those arrested were Victor Solomon, 25, also known as Tumbeleke, who was allegedly found with a sharp dagger, and 17-year-old Osama Saidu Baushe, who was allegedly carrying a sharp sword. Police said all the suspects remain in custody for investigation and prosecution.
In a separate operation, police arrested 20-year-old Yusuf Musa, described as a notorious robbery and house-breaking suspect, in Maitumbi on September 5.
Musa reportedly confessed that he and another suspect, identified as 22-year-old Danjuma of Dana area, Maitumbi, broke into a house behind Dana at about 1:20am on September 4.
Police said the stolen items included a smart television, orthopedic bed, 17 new shirts, 11 trousers, five caps, bed sheets, extension sockets, a 3KVA generator, shoes, pressing iron, iron rods, solar street lights and cameras.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest Danjuma and recover the stolen property, while the case remains under further investigation.
The Niger State Police Command assured residents of its continued efforts to tackle criminal activities and maintain peace and security across the state.
