The Niger State Police Command has secured the conviction of a 22-year-old motorcycle theft suspect while recording a series of breakthroughs, including the arrest of suspects linked to an alleged self-kidnap plot, illegal possession of firearms, thuggery and drug-related offences across the state.
The Command disclosed this in a release issued on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
According to the statement, Abubakar Danladi, 22, of New Market, Minna, was sentenced to two years imprisonment without an option of fine after being found guilty of stealing a black TVS motorcycle.
The police said the motorcycle, bearing registration number GWN 436 QB, was stolen on July 26, 2026, from outside a lodge in Gidan-Kwano. Acting on the report, operatives of Kpakungu Division, in collaboration with vigilante members, tracked and arrested the suspect at Dama area via Gidan-Kwano with the stolen motorcycle in his possession.
During investigation, Danladi reportedly confessed to the offence. He was charged to court on July 30, where the Magistrate convicted and sentenced him to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.
In another operation, police operatives and vigilante members raided criminal blackspots around the Albishiri area of Minna on July 25, arresting Awwal Abdullahi, 25, and Abdulkadir Abdullahi, 23.
The suspects were allegedly found in possession of dangerous weapons, including a long sickle, two cutlasses, two sticks, as well as suspected cannabis. They have been charged to court and are awaiting the outcome of their trial.
Similarly, police patrol officers arrested Titus Felix, 20, of Garatu on July 20 after he was allegedly found with suspected cannabis and a Paxol container. He has also been charged to court for prosecution.
The Command also uncovered an alleged self-abduction scheme in Suleja involving two teenagers.
Police said a complaint was lodged on July 21 that 15-year-old Kelvin Faga had gone missing after attending church the previous day. The family subsequently received a ransom demand of ₦200,000 from individuals claiming the teenager had been kidnapped.
Following intelligence-led investigations, police operatives traced Kelvin to a hotel in Suleja on July 25, where he was found with his alleged accomplice, Mayowa Ojewuyi, also known as “Mayor,” aged 17.
According to the police, the duo confessed to staging the kidnapping in a bid to extort ₦200,000 from Kelvin’s father and share the proceeds. Both suspects are currently in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) pending the conclusion of investigations and prosecution.
In a separate operation, the Police Safer Highway Patrol team arrested Malachi Bitrus of Munya area during a routine stop-and-search operation at Pogo village via Paiko on July 25.
The suspect was allegedly found with a locally made gun and three rounds of live AK-47 ammunition. Although he claimed to be a vigilante and forest officer, police said he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the firearm and ammunition.
He has since been transferred to the SCID in Minna for further investigation.
