The Niger State Police Command has arrested 34 suspects in a series of coordinated operations across the state, targeting thuggery, armed robbery, theft, illegal mining and other criminal activities.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed in a release issued on Wednesday that the arrests followed intelligence-led raids and patrols conducted between July 4 and 7 in Minna, Mokwa and other parts of the state.
According to him, police operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Division arrested 10 suspects during raids on identified criminal hideouts at Kafintella, Sauka-Kahuta and Building Materials Road in Minna. The suspects were found with dangerous weapons, including a sharp curved sickle, a digger, a shovel and sticks.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed that they travelled from Yobe State to Minna for illegal mining activities. They have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
In a separate operation carried out by officers from ‘A’ Division, Minna, police arrested 17 suspected hoodlums during raids on blackspots around PZ, Angwan-Kaje, Saiko, Abdulsalam Quarters, Tudun-Natsira and Paida.
Among those arrested was a notorious wanted thug, Abdulkarim Mohammed, popularly known as “Na-Kareemu,” who had allegedly been on the run over previous criminal offences. Police recovered four cutlasses, two knives, cannabis and other illicit substances from the suspects, who are currently under investigation.
The Command also recovered a stolen Bajaj motorcycle after a patrol team from Tudun-Wada Division spotted a suspect attempting to steal it from a residence in the Highpoint area of Minna. The suspect fled on sighting the police, abandoning the motorcycle, which was later identified and reclaimed by its owner.
In Mokwa, police intercepted five suspects allegedly attempting to transport 17 stolen goats in a Toyota Corolla along the Mokwa bypass. Investigations revealed that the animals had been stolen within Mokwa town and were being conveyed to Bida for sale. The goats have been returned to their owners, while the suspects remain in custody pending prosecution.
Police also arrested two suspected armed robbers and phone snatchers around M.I. Wushishi Estate/Living Faith Junction in Minna. Recovered from the suspects were a cutlass, face mask, suspected cannabis, other illicit substances, jewellery and ₦22,000 cash. They are expected to be transferred to the SCID for further investigation.
In another case, officers at Maje Division arrested a suspect identified as Kabiru Yusuf for allegedly swapping a Point-of-Sale (POS) machine at a shop along Kaduna Road. A search led to the recovery of three POS machines and three ATM cards.
The police also uncovered a theft syndicate after a businessman in Kwamba reported missing funds. Investigators arrested the victim’s nephew, who allegedly confessed to stealing money from the house through the ceiling over a period of time. Police recovered ₦330,000 and arrested two alleged accomplices, while four mobile phones were also recovered.
SP Abiodun said investigations into the various cases are ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
