The Niger State Police Command has foiled a deadly assassination plot and arrested 14 suspects across the state in a sweeping crackdown on crime. The arrests cut across suspected assassins, thugs, a cannabis dealer, illegal immigrants and a violent neighbour.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement on Saturday that operatives intercepted two suspects, Muhammad Mohammed (40) and Mohammed Usman (35), on 23rd August at Beji railway crossing, Bosso LGA. A locally made pistol, a live cartridge and ₦13,000 were recovered.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed they were hired by one Dogo of Beji to assassinate a man who married his ex-wife,” Abiodun revealed. The suspects claimed they were promised ₦100,000 for the job, after receiving ₦13,000 as transport money. They are currently in SCID custody while efforts are underway to track down Dogo.
In a separate sting operation on 26th August, the Command’s Anti-Thuggery Squad stormed Soje A, Soje B and Kpakungu areas of Minna, arrested nine thuggery suspects aged between 14 and 27. Two stolen solar batteries, five knives, cutlasses and a digger were recovered.
The Command also arrested a suspected cannabis cultivator, Mustapha Saleh (28), in Zumba, Shiroro LGA, with two bags of harvested cannabis. His accomplice escaped.
Earlier, on 21st August, Police operatives nabbed two Senegalese nationals in Minna’s Fadikpe area for illegal entry. They have been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Meanwhile, one Hadiza Bala a.k.a. Mama Sabir has been charged to court for attempted culpable homicide after she allegedly poured hot water on her neighbour during a domestic dispute in Tunga, Minna, leaving the victim with serious injuries.
SP Abiodun assured residents that the Command will sustain aggressive operations against criminals threatening peace and safety in the state.
