The Niger State Police Command has debunked a trending video circulating on social media, in which a vigilante head from Mokwa alleged that five suspected kidnappers were arrested but only three were prosecuted. The Command clarified that the suspects in question were involved in two separate criminal cases and were duly charged to court.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on Tuesday, April 16, 2025, the Command listed the suspects as Mohammed Dansajo, Mohammed Dangi of Kara Village, Abubakar Usman Abule of Kara-Jebba, Mohammed Umar, and Usman Abubakar of Tunga-Ruwa village, all in Mokwa axis.
According to the statement, the first three suspects Dansajo, Dangi, and Abubakar were arrested in connection with a kidnapping incident on March 14, 2024. Armed men had stormed a shop at Sawmill, Mokwa, and abducted a victim. Investigation led to the recovery of two mobile phones and a live cartridge at the scene.
“Analysis of the recovered phones led to the arrest of Mohammed Dansajo, who confessed to the crime and implicated others including Mohammed Dangi and Abubakar Usman,” the statement read.
Further investigations led to the arrest of the mentioned suspects, while three others remain at large. The syndicate had reportedly collected a ransom of three million naira before releasing the victim. The suspects were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Court 1 and later reassigned to Court 7 in Minna for prosecution.
The other two suspects Mohammed Umar and Usman Abubakar were reportedly involved in a separate case of conspiracy, kidnapping, and robbery. Their matter was referred to the police by the Magistrate Court in Jebba on May 2, 2024.
SP Abiodun stated that Umar lured a motorcyclist from New-Garage Kara to an undisclosed location. The victim did not return home, and his phone was later found in the possession of Usman Abubakar. Both suspects were subsequently charged with conspiracy, kidnapping, and robbery at the Magistrate Court, Jebba.
The police emphasized that the five suspects were never involved in a single case as falsely claimed in the viral video. The Command urged the public to always verify facts before sharing unverified information capable of misleading the public and undermining police effort
