The Niger State Police Command has recorded major operational successes in its ongoing efforts to combat crime across the state under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman.
In a statement issued on July 3, 2025, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Command detailed a number of arrests and recoveries made within the period under review.
Following a recent bandit attack on Watari village in Rijau Local Government Area, police operatives from Rijau Division, in collaboration with vigilantes, recovered fifty (50) rounds of anti-aircraft live ammunition abandoned by fleeing bandits at Biyemu Forest after a military airstrike. Tactical teams have since been deployed to strategic areas to prevent further incidents.
On June 22, 2025, the Command also recovered a truck loaded with 900 bags of cement that was fraudulently diverted. The Howo truck, with registration number HJA 995 XA, had been loaded in Okpella and was en route to a customer in Gwagwalada, Abuja, when it was stolen. Acting on intelligence, police operatives recovered the truck along Lambata-Lapai Road and arrested three suspects—Bashir Isah (22), Ibrahim Yusuf (21), and Halidu Mohammed (28)—all of Gbamita, Lambata. The suspects confessed to plotting to sell the cement to another buyer. The case remained under investigation.
In Suleja, two suspects—Patrick Onuegbu (45) and Ifeanyi Okechukwu (56)—were arrested on June 22 for attempting to steal a truck tyre along Rafin-Sayin-Madalla Road. The police, working with local residents, recovered a stolen tyre, a white bus with registration number KJA 780 XE, an iron cutter, and crates of malt. The suspects admitted to being part of a tyre theft ring, regularly buying from a supplier who is now on the run.
On June 26, 2025, in Minna, operatives from the Command’s Monitoring Unit apprehended Shehu Sani a.k.a Karaye (42) and Nafiu Kazeem (23) for motorcycle theft. A white Jincheng motorcycle and another bike sold to Nafiu were recovered. Investigations confirmed that the motorcycles had been stolen from different areas within the city.
A sting operation conducted on June 25 and 28 by police operatives from ‘A’ Division Minna led to the arrest of five suspects for armed robbery, thuggery, and drug offences. Arrested were Abdullahi Saidu (22), Sulaiman Saidu (21), Jafar Mohammed (18), Aliyu Bala (22), and Nasiru Mohammed (20). Items recovered included sharp knives, illicit drugs, a stolen motorcycle, a handset, and ₦17,000 cash. Investigations revealed that Nasiru used a knife to rob a victim of ₦48,000 and two mobile phones.
The Command also arrested three high-profile suspects linked to kidnapping and culpable homicide. On June 16, police operatives from the Crack Squad and Special Tactical Squad (STS) apprehended Sani Mohammed a.k.a Shawo (22), Abubakar Dahiru a.k.a Sirin-baye (20), and Idris Mohammed a.k.a Y.B (30). Shawo and Sirin-baye were identified as masterminds behind several violent kidnappings in Beji and Maikunkele in 2023, including the abduction of a widow for ₦8 million ransom, and the killing of a victim during a separate kidnapping case. They had previously fled to Kogi and Zamfara States but were tracked and arrested while attempting to regroup.
Idris Mohammed was arrested for participating in a robbery at a mosque in Darulsalam area, Minna, during morning prayers. He confessed to the crime and identified other gang members, one of whom had already been prosecuted.
SP Wasiu Abiodun reaffirmed the commitment of the Niger State Police Command to intensify efforts in safeguarding lives and property, assuring the public that all suspects will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
