Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Niger State Police Command have arrested three members of a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate operating under the guise of a local vigilante group in Mariga Local Government Area of the state.
The suspects, identified as Alhassan Tanko, Basiru Shaibu and Ishaya Umar, all of Beri village in Mariga LGA, were allegedly involved in a series of kidnappings and armed robberies targeting residents of Uraga village over the past three months.
According to a crime bulletin issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, and made available to journalists in Minna on Tuesday, the suspects were arrested following a distress call received from the community by operatives of the Kontagora Divisional Command.
Abiodun said the operatives immediately mobilised to the area and arrested the three suspects.
He disclosed that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of a seven-man syndicate operating under the name of a Yansakai vigilante group, allegedly formed for the purpose of kidnapping and armed robbery.
The police spokesman said further investigation revealed that the suspects allegedly confessed to killing at least three victims in Mariga LGA during their kidnapping operations and stealing their motorcycles.
According to him, the stolen motorcycles were allegedly sold to one Awalu of Beri, while a search conducted at the suspects’ residences led to the recovery of one pump-action rifle.
He said efforts were ongoing to arrest Awalu, the alleged receiver of the stolen motorcycles, as well as other members of the syndicate, adding that the suspects remained in police custody for further investigation.
In a separate operation, the Anti-Kidnapping Squad also arrested one Abdulkarim Yunusa in connection with the alleged theft of a Bajaj motorcycle entrusted to him in Kaduna State.
Abiodun said a report was received at the Gawu-Babangida Divisional Command on August 22, 2026, from Kadna village, alleging that Yunusa had dishonestly converted the motorcycle entrusted to him in May 2026 and subsequently absconded.
He said the suspect was traced and arrested in Tafa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where the motorcycle was recovered.
According to the PPRO, Yunusa was subsequently charged to court for prosecution, while the motorcycle was released to its rightful owner.
Meanwhile, police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Minna, have arrested one Nazifi Adamu of Angwan-Limawa area of Gwada, Shiroro LGA, during the Maulud celebration.
Abiodun said Adamu was arrested on August 25 at New Market Junction, Minna, with suspected illicit drugs.
Items recovered from him included 10 packs of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp (Cannabis sativa), Colorado, four cards of Rohypnol tablets and one sachet of methamphetamine, popularly known as crystal meth or “ice.”
The suspect allegedly told investigators that he brought the substances from Kuta to sell during the Maulud celebration in Minna.
The police spokesman said the suspect was undergoing investigation to establish the source of the illicit substances, after which he would be prosecuted.
In another development, police operatives of the Maitumbi Divisional Command arrested six suspects over the alleged killing of a 35-year-old man, Nafiu Mohammed, in the Sabon-Titi area of Maitumbi.
Abiodun said the incident occurred on August 25 at about 6:45 p.m., when a report was received that Mohammed had been attacked and stabbed.
He said the Divisional Police Officer, SP Ahmed Aliyu Kuta, led his team to the scene, rescued the victim and rushed him to a nearby health facility, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the PPRO, Emmanuel Moses and five other suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
The other suspects were identified as Lukman Mohammed, Abdullahi Mohammed, Sani Ibrahim, Abdullahi Yusuf, also known as Challo, and Adamu Isyaku, all from the area behind Maitumbi Primary School.
He said the suspects, during interrogation, allegedly mentioned one Muhammad Sani as the person responsible for the death of Nafiu Mohammed, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest him.
Abiodun said the suspects already in custody were being investigated for alleged conspiracy and thuggery.
The police also arrested three suspected hoodlums during operations conducted at identified black spots in Maitumbi, Minna.
The suspects, Nura Murtala, Idris Aliyu and Haruna Ibrahim, all from the Saiko area of Minna, were allegedly found in possession of suspected cannabis, one cutlass, four scissors, shisha pipes and a pot.
The PPRO said the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
He assured residents that the command would continue to intensify operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, drug trafficking, thuggery and other criminal activities across the state.
