The Niger State Police Command has arrested 21 suspected hoodlums for alleged thuggery, possession of dangerous weapons and other offences, alongside a 20-year-old man suspected of armed robbery.
The Punch reported that the suspects were arrested during separate operations carried out by police operatives in different parts of Minna and other locations across the state.
According to the command, some of the suspects were apprehended while allegedly causing disturbances and carrying weapons, including locally made pistols, at a mining site.
The command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the arrests, said the police were also searching for a suspect identified as Danjuma in connection with a robbery case.
Abiodun said, “On 1st September, 2026, at about 12.30am, Police operatives attached to Chanchaga Division stormed some identified blackspots around Angwan-Dakoko, Angwan-Kwakwa, Angwan-Gwari at midnight and 12 miscreants were arrested.
“During the raid, one Victor Solomon, 25 years a.k.a Tumbeleke bearing one sharp dagger, and Osama Saidu Baushe, 17 years was caught with one sharp sword. All suspects are in custody for further investigation and prosecution.
“On 5th September 2026 at about 2.50pm, Police operatives attached to Maitumbi Division also arrested a notorious armed robbery/house breaking suspect, known as Yusuf Musa, 20 years of age and of Angwan-Kadara, Maitumbi.
“During interrogation, he confessed that on 4th September, 2026, at about 01.20am, he conspired with one Danjuma 22 years of age, and of Dana area of Maitumbi, and broke into a house behind Dana where they carted away the following items: One smart TV, One orthopedic bed and 17pcs of new shirts.
“Others were: 11pcs of trousers, five pcs of caps, bed sheets, extension sockets, 3kva generator, shoes, pressing iron, iron rods, solar street lights and cameras,” Abiodun stated.
The police spokesman said further arrests were made during operations in Kpakungu and Marikichi.
He disclosed that on August 24, operatives attached to Kpakungu Division raided the Angwan-Kanawa area, where six suspects were arrested.
They were identified as Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abdulkareem Hassan, 20; Salmanu Ishaq, 18; Nasiru Mukhtar, 18; Suleiman Yusuf, 18; and Abdulsalam Shuaibu, 18.
According to Abiodun, the suspects were found with suspected cannabis, a cutlass, two scissors and a black bag containing several illicit items.
The command also reported the arrest of three other suspects in Marikichi on August 25 following a fight among them.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Mohammed, 18; Mustapha Abdulkadir, 20; and Mustapha Mohammed, 19, were arrested after Abdulkadir allegedly used a cutlass to injure Ibrahim on his right hand.
The injured man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the suspects were subsequently charged to court.
Abiodun added that police operatives recovered a locally made pistol after receiving information about the weapon at a mining site in Dogon-Ruwa village, Bosso Local Government Area.
He said the weapon was recovered on August 25 and had been taken up for investigation to establish how it got to the mining site.
The police spokesman further said efforts were ongoing to arrest Danjuma and recover the remaining stolen property, adding that investigations into the various cases were continuing.
