The Niger State Police Command has made significant strides in combating crime with the arrest of several suspects involved in theft, fraud, and human trafficking across the state.
In Minna, detectives attached to the Area Command apprehended Usman Umar (35) of Dala, Kano State, at a hotel on January 6, 2026, following intelligence about suspicious activity. Items recovered from the suspect included 22 SIM cards, a Redmi phone, an Infinix phone, and an Itel button phone.
Umar confessed to snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims, particularly in Lagos markets, and selling the stolen devices while retaining the SIM cards for other criminal activities. He also admitted to vandalising and stealing compressors from hotel refrigerators and air conditioners in Minna, which he sold to receivers in Suleja.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the Command also arrested Ghazali Mohammed (41) of Kurudu, Abuja, and Hassan Taoheed (45) of Kpakungu, Minna, over a gold parcel scam involving 113.93 grams of gold valued at over ₦22 million. The suspects allegedly conspired to defraud a recipient of the parcel. Investigations are ongoing to recover the missing gold and bring all culprits to justice.
In a separate operation, SCID detectives, in collaboration with Interpol, arrested Gift Segun Lucky (22) of Tunga, Minna, in connection with human trafficking. The suspect reportedly lured three female victims, aged 17, 20, and 21, under the guise of employment in Lagos and trafficked them to Ghana and Ivory Coast. Two of the victims were rescued and returned to Lagos on January 1, 2026, while efforts continue to locate the third victim and dismantle the trafficking network.
SP Abiodun assured residents that the Niger State Police Command remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and encouraged the public to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing law enforcement efforts.
