By Uthman Baba-Naseer, Minna
The Niger State Police Command has arrested 71 suspected criminals and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 15 AK magazines and 330 rounds of assorted ammunition during a statewide crackdown on criminal activities in July 2026.
Commissioner of Police, CP Abdullahi Adamu Elleman, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Dutsen Kura, Minna.
The police commissioner said the Command also rescued nine kidnapped children and an abducted baby, while recovering 17 goats, four cows and other stolen items from criminal suspects during the period under review.
According to him, operatives of the Command’s Tactical Squad arrested six suspected armed robbers, kidnappers and murder suspects, recovering 10 AK-47 rifles from the gang.
Elleman explained that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnappers operating around Garam, Chachi, Ija-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka and the Kaduna Road axis.
He said further intelligence led operatives to arrest one Samaila Shefiu, popularly known as “Yakumujuri,” a 45-year-old resident of Barikin Sale, Minna, who is believed to be one of the kingpins terrorising the affected communities as well as parts of Kubwa and Bwari in the Federal Capital Territory.
In another breakthrough, the police arrested Mohammed Aliyu Buba, 42, of Angwan Sarki, Minna, for allegedly operating a syndicate involved in the production of fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
The Commissioner said a search of the suspect’s premises led to the recovery of 105 fake NIN cards and 189 voter cards.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to producing the fake documents for residents of Wushishi and Munya Local Government Areas, charging ₦2,000 for each fake NIN card and ₦1,000 for each voter card.
Police said the suspect admitted earning over ₦3 million from the illegal operation.
CP Elleman attributed the Command’s achievements to the support and cooperation of residents who provided timely and credible intelligence.
He appealed to members of the public to sustain their partnership with the police by volunteering useful information on criminal activities.
“The police cannot work in isolation. Criminals live among us, attend the same markets, mosques and churches with us. We rely on credible information from the public to track and apprehend them,” he said.
The Commissioner also commended Governor Mohammed Umar Bago for his unwavering support to the Command, assuring residents that the police would continue to strengthen security and ensure effective policing across the state.
