The Niger State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Shawulu E. Danmamman, has made notable strides in combating crime and enhancing security throughout the state in January 2025.
In a recent press briefing held on January 27, the Commissioner outlined the Command’s successful initiatives aimed at reducing criminal activities in line with the Inspector General of Police’s nationwide directive to decrease crime by 50%.
The Commissioner emphasized that the Command has implemented a variety of strategies, including intensified stop-and-search operations, criminal hideout raids, intelligence gathering, and community engagement efforts, all designed to improve public safety and curb criminality.
In January 2025, the Command recorded several significant achievements. On January 23, police operatives from Nku Police Station, in collaboration with local vigilante groups, intercepted a motorcycle carrying two suspects. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind a sack that contained 520 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. The police are currently investigating the matter and are intensifying efforts to apprehend the suspects.
In another major operation, three armed robbery suspects; Isah Bello (21), Abdulsalam Abubakar (23), and Nasir Mohammed (25) were arrested on January 15 after they robbed students at a School of Health in Maitumbi. The suspects, armed with cutlasses, tied up the students and stole valuable items, including phones, power banks, ATM cards, and money. Some of the stolen items, such as a power bank and phone charger, were recovered from the suspects. The investigation is ongoing.
On January 17, 2025, a suspect identified as Nasiru Isiaka was arrested in connection with a kidnapping incident that occurred on December 29, 2024, in Sabon-Gari Mangu Matachibu village, Kontagora. During the operation, one locally made short gun was recovered from the suspect, who was identified as one of the kidnappers involved in the incident. Isiaka is under investigation, and efforts to arrest other members of the gang are ongoing.
The Command also made significant progress in tackling vandalism. On January 24 and 25, police operatives arrested 12 individuals involved in the theft of government property, including streetlight cables and tools. The suspects were apprehended in the Limawa area of Minna. Earlier, on January 7, four suspects were arrested for vandalizing aluminum conductors in the Masuga village, Rijau-Kontagora road area. Investigations into these cases are continuing.
In a separate case, the police arrested three individuals—Habibu Usman (35), Tanko Abara (25), and Maigero Abdullahi (26)—on January 16 for their involvement in the suspected homicide of Mohammadu Bello, a motorcycle rider from Awala village, Rijau LGA. Bello was reported missing in December 2024, and his body was discovered in January 2025. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to apprehend additional suspects.
The Command responded to an explosion in Sabon-Pegi, Mashegu LGA, on January 26, 2025. The explosion, caused by suspected dynamites stored by one Yushau for mining activities, resulted in the death of one person and injuries to six others. The blast also caused significant damage to around twelve houses. The suspect, Yushau, is currently at large, and the investigation is continuing. The police have urged the community to report suspicious activities to prevent such incidents in the future.
Commissioner Shawulu E. Danmamman concluded the briefing by stressing the importance of community collaboration in policing efforts. He encouraged residents to report any suspicious activities to help ensure the safety of Niger State.
