The Niger State Police Command has arrested 27 suspected thugs and recovered dangerous weapons as well as suspected illicit substances during coordinated raid operations across criminal hideouts in Suleja metropolis.
The operation, carried out by operatives of the Tactical Support Team (TST) in collaboration with the Suleja Area Command, formed part of ongoing security reinforcement measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful festive period across the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the raids were conducted on May 24, 2026, between 8:30 p.m. and midnight at identified blackspots including Kantoma area, Babangida Market and Panteka, popularly known as “Jungle.”
Abiodun said the operation led to the arrest of 27 suspects and the recovery of several dangerous items allegedly linked to criminal activities.
Items recovered from the suspects included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, suspected fake identity cards, 10 clubs locally known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, a curved long weapon popularly called “garrio,” two axes, scissors, knives and a bag containing suspected cannabis.
At the Panteka area, also known as “Jungle,” police arrested Haruna Idris, 20; Imrana Halilu Abdullahi, 20; Mohammed Isah, 27; and Yusuf Surajo, 22, all from Niger State.
Others arrested at the location were Jibrin Shehu, 26; Ahmad Samaila, 22; and Jamilu Idris, 23, all from Katsina State.
Also apprehended were Auwal Ibrahim, 28; Mohammed Salisu, 20; Murtala Mohammed, 28; Abdulshakur Mohammed, 28; Jibril Abubakar, 30; Hamisu Abdullahi, 27; Hassan Ismail, 29; Mukhtar Adam, 38; Adamu Ibrahim, 27; Abba Ibrahim, 22; Mutawakil Usman, 27; Ibrahim Adam, 26; Aliyu Jibrin, 28; Mohammed Bashir, 30; and Zuhairu Ahmed, 30, all from Kano State, alongside Salisu Dauda, 22, from Yobe State.
Similarly, police arrested Auwal Isah, 28, from Kaduna State residing along Madalla Road; Suleiman Abubakar, 28, from Kano State residing around Suleja Club; and Bala Musa, 25, from Kano State, around the Kantoma area.
Another suspect, Ibrahim Shuaibu, 22, from Kano State, was arrested at Babangida Market.
The police said the suspects were allegedly found in possession of suspected cannabis and other illicit substances.
SP Abiodun disclosed that all the suspects are currently in police custody undergoing further investigation and interrogation to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities and identify possible accomplices.
He added that the suspects would subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution.
The command assured residents that raid operations across identified hideouts and blackspots would be sustained beyond the festive period to maintain law and order in the state.
The police also urged members of the public to report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies for prompt intervention.
