The Niger State Police Command has arrested multiple suspects linked to crimes ranging from an assassination attempt and thuggery to drug cultivation, illegal immigration, and attempted culpable homicide.
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, noting that the arrests followed a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.
According to Abiodun, on August 23, operatives apprehended two men — Muhammad Mohammed, 40, and Mohammed Usman, 35 — at the railway crossing in Beji, Bosso Local Government Area, while on a mission to kill a target.
“A locally made pistol, a live cartridge and the sum of thirteen thousand naira were recovered from them,” the PPRO said.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed that they were contracted by one Dogo of Beji to assassinate a man who had married his ex-wife.
“They revealed that Dogo initially gave them ₦13,000 for transport and promised to pay ₦100,000 for the job. They were on their way to collect the balance before their arrest,” Abiodun explained.
He added that efforts are ongoing to track down Dogo, while the suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.
In a separate operation on August 26, the Command’s Anti-Thuggery Squad raided Soje A, Soje B, and Kpakungu areas of Minna, arresting nine suspects aged between 14 and 27. Weapons recovered included two suspected stolen solar batteries, five knives, cutlasses, and a digger.
“Based on credible information, our operatives stormed the hideouts between 2am and 5am and successfully arrested the suspects,” Abiodun said. “They are all under investigation at the SCID Minna.”
The crackdown continued on August 27 in Shiroro, where police nabbed 28-year-old Mustapha Saleh for cultivating cannabis. His accomplice, identified as Shuaibu, escaped. About two bags of harvested cannabis were seized.
Also, on August 21, two Senegalese nationals — Saidu Jah and Sirinjuf Jibrin, both 25 — were arrested in Minna for alleged illegal immigration. “With the help of an interpreter, they were questioned but could not provide any valid explanation. They have since been handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service,” the police said.
In another disturbing case, a woman identified as Hadiza Bala, also known as Mama Sabir, was arrested after she allegedly poured hot water on her neighbour during a dispute in Tunga, Minna.
“The victim sustained severe burns to the face and chest. The suspect was arrested, investigated and charged to court for attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous harm,” Abiodun confirmed.
The police spokesperson assured residents that the command is determined to root out violent crime across Niger State.
“We are intensifying our fight against criminal elements and urge members of the public to continue to provide useful information to aid police operations,” he said.
