The Niger State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects in connection with alleged armed robbery, kidnapping and the killing of residents in different parts of the state.
The Punch reported that the arrests followed investigations into the death of 35-year-old Nafiu Mohammed, a resident of the Sabon-Titi area of Maitumbi, Minna, who was allegedly attacked and stabbed on August 25, 2026.
Mohammed was reportedly rushed to a medical facility after the attack but was pronounced dead by doctors.
Following the incident, police operatives arrested six suspects identified as Emmanuel Moses, 25; Lukman Mohammed, 25; Abdullahi Mohammed, 19; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abdullahi Yusuf, also known as Challo, 22; and Adamu Isyaku, 20. The suspects were said to be residents of the area behind Maitumbi Primary School.
Police said Ibrahim was arrested while allegedly carrying a long cutlass.
According to the command, another suspect, Muhammad Sani, was identified during interrogation as a member of the gang allegedly responsible for Mohammed’s death. He is currently at large, with police operatives conducting a manhunt for him.
The command said the arrested suspects were being held for conspiracy and thuggery.
In a separate operation, the police also arrested three men accused of disguising themselves as members of a vigilante group to commit kidnapping and armed robbery in Mariga Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Alhassan Tanko, 25; Basiru Shaibu, 26; and Ishaya Umar, 28, all from Beri in Mariga LGA.
Police said the suspects confessed that seven members of the group had formed a criminal syndicate under the guise of the Yansakai Vigilante group.
The command alleged that the group was involved in kidnapping and armed robbery and had killed at least three victims during their operations in Mariga.
The suspects were also accused of stealing motorcycles from their victims and selling them to a man identified as Awalu of Beri.
A search of the suspects’ residences reportedly led to the recovery of a pump-action rifle.
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun, confirmed the arrests and said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the alleged criminal syndicate.
Abiodun narrated the incidents thus: “On 25th August, 2026, at about 6.45pm, a report was received at Maitumbi Division that one Nafiu Mohammed 35 years of Sabon-Titi area of Maitumbi was attacked and stabbed to death.
“Police operatives attached to the Div moved to the area and the victim was rushed to a nearby medical facility where he was confirmed dead.
“Police tactical teams were immediately drafted to this location and the following suspects were arrested:
Emmanuel Moses, 25 years;
Lukman Mohammed, 25 years;
Abdullahi Mohammed, 19 years;
-Sani Ibrahim, (18 years with a long cutlass);
Abdullahi Yusuf, a.k.a Challo, 22 years; and Adamu Isyaku, 20 years, all of behind Maitumbi primary school.
“In the course of interrogation, the suspects mentioned one Muhammad Sani who is among their gang to be responsible for the death of the victim. Efforts to arrest the said Sani is in progress, while the suspects arrested are in custody for conspiracy and thuggery,” he said.
Speaking on the alleged fake vigilante group, Abiodun said the police were intensifying efforts to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
According to him, “On 23rd August, 2026, based on credible information received that some hoodlums formed a gang of Yansakai Vigilante at Uraga village, Mariga LGA and were perpetrating crime and criminality such as kidnapping and robbing innocent persons of their valuables.
“On getting this report, the Police surveillance team attached to Kotangora Area Command moved to the location and three suspects were arrested, and they are: Alhassan Tanko, 25 years; Basiru Shaibu, 26 years; and Ishaya Umar, 28 years, all of Beri, Mariga LGA.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that seven of them formed the syndicate under the guise of Yansakai Vigilante group, for the purpose of kidnapping and armed robbery.
“The suspects further revealed that they had killed at least three innocent victims within Mariga LGA in the course of their kidnapping escapades, and stolen their motorcycles.
“Investigations furtger indicated that the motorcycles were sold to one Awalu of Beri. When a search was also conducted in their houses, one pump action rifle was recovered,” he disclosed.
The police spokesman assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects and bring all those involved in the alleged crimes to justice.
