The Niger State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against crime with the arrest of four suspects linked to criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and culpable homicide, as well as other successful operations across the state.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed the developments in a release issued on Tuesday, stating that the arrests followed coordinated investigations by police operatives in Kontagora, Suleja and Mokwa areas.
According to the police, the most significant case began on February 12, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., when a report was received that Umar Bingel, 32, of Dadin-Kowa area in Kontagora, was abducted while returning home from the market along Government Day Secondary School road. The victim was allegedly taken away by suspected vigilante members along with his motorcycle and the sum of N1.5 million believed to be proceeds from the sale of his cows.
Police operatives attached to Kontagora Area Command immediately commenced investigation, leading to the arrest of three vigilante members who reportedly confessed to having knowledge of the crime. During interrogation, the suspects allegedly revealed that the victim was killed by another vigilante group led by suspects identified as Danbaba and Smalli from Farin-Shinge village.
The principal suspect, Danbaba, was later arrested on February 15, 2026, and guided police operatives to a pit where the victim’s decomposed body was recovered. The remains were evacuated to the General Hospital, Kontagora, and subsequently released to the family for burial. Exhibits recovered during the operation included the victim’s Bajaj motorcycle, three locally fabricated guns, two dane guns and four rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. Police said the suspects remain under investigation and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.
In another operation in Suleja, police arrested a 27-year-old laundry worker, Faisal Ibrahim, following the reported theft of a motorcycle in the Kwamba area. The owner had secured the motorcycle in his room after work but returned to discover it missing. Investigations led to the suspect’s arrest, and he reportedly confessed before leading detectives to where the motorcycle was hidden. He has since been charged to court.
Similarly, police operatives in Mokwa recovered an abandoned Submachine Gun (SMG) rifle after residents discovered the weapon buried while clearing bush near Government Teachers College. The rifle, described as rusty and suspected to have been abandoned by criminal elements, is undergoing ballistic examination to determine its origin.
Meanwhile, a 40-year-old suspect, Jafar Mohammed, also known as Danlami, was arrested by operatives of the Kontagora Area Command for allegedly attempting to sexually assault three young girls aged between six and seven years at an uncompleted building in the Dadin-Kowa area. Police said the suspect allegedly lured the minors with candy before one of the victims raised an alarm, attracting neighbours who apprehended him. He has been transferred to the SCID in Minna for further investigation.
The Niger State Police Command assured residents of its continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urged members of the public to support security agencies with credible and timely information.
