The Niger State Police Command has arrested 13 suspects linked to a string of criminal activities, including attempted kidnapping, cattle rustling, house breaking, theft, criminal trespass and vandalism, in a sustained crackdown on crime across the state.
The Command said the arrests were recorded in line with the operational directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, on enhanced visibility policing, constant patrols and strengthened community engagement.
In a crime bulletin issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said detectives attached to ‘A’ Division, Minna, arrested 25-year-old Aminu Abubakar following the burglary of a residence in Angwan-Daji, Minna, on July 30.
Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly stole two mobile phones and sold them to Sabiu Musa and Abubakar Isah, who were arrested as receivers of the stolen items. Police also arrested a software engineer, Usman Mustapha, for allegedly formatting the stolen phones and tampering with their IMEI numbers to conceal their identities.
The four suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation and prosecution.
In another operation, police operatives arrested four suspects over cattle rustling. The suspects—Umar Abubakar, also known as Zola, Kabiru Shehu, Abdullahi Yunusa and Ibrahim Alhassan confessed to stealing cattle from different locations in Minna, leading to the recovery of one of the stolen animals.
The suspects were arraigned before a court on July 31 and remanded in a correctional facility.
The Command also recorded another breakthrough in Mokwa, where a surveillance patrol team intercepted Aliyu Gana, Aliyu Mohammed and Babangida Umar along the Zugurma-Kainji Road on August 3.
The trio was found conveying bundles of aluminium electric cables and recline cables in a Toyota vehicle suspected to contain stolen items. During interrogation, they reportedly confessed to stealing the cables from a company executing a project in Kanti village. Investigations are ongoing.
Similarly, police arrested one Nafiu Yahaya in possession of a Bajaj motorcycle suspected to have been stolen from Airport Road, Sokoto. The suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the motorcycle and transporting it to Mokwa for sale. Efforts are underway to identify and reunite the motorcycle with its rightful owner.
In a separate development, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the SCID are investigating one Tukur Bello, who allegedly invaded a residence at Takuma Fulani Camp armed with a cutlass in an attempt to kidnap two women.
According to the police, the victims raised an alarm, prompting the suspect to attack one of them with a machete, inflicting deep cuts on her hand before he was overpowered and arrested by community members and local vigilantes. He remains in custody and will be charged to court after investigations.
The Police Command also arrested Elijah Ahmed for allegedly stealing eight refrigerators from the hotel where he worked. Five of the stolen refrigerators were recovered, while three had reportedly been sold to a scrap dealer who is currently at large. The suspect has since been charged to court.
In the latest arrest, operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Kontagora, apprehended Ya’u Ibrahim on August 6 for allegedly breaking into a residence and stealing three gas cylinders, a ceiling fan, a motorcycle battery, three mobile phones, chargers and other valuables.
A sharp knife and scissors were recovered from the suspect, who is currently assisting police with ongoing investigations.
The Niger State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating crime and safeguarding lives and property across the state, while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support security operations.
