The Niger State Police Command has reported a series of breakthroughs in its crackdown on crime, arresting suspected assassins, thugs, illegal immigrants, and other offenders across the state.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna.
At about 12:45 a.m., a police patrol team working with vigilante members intercepted two suspects, Muhammad Mohammed (40) and Mohammed Usman (35), at Railway Crossing, Beji, in Bosso LGA. Officers recovered a locally made pistol, a live cartridge, and ₦13,000 from them.
Under interrogation, the pair admitted that one Dogo of Beji hired them to assassinate a man near the railway. They said Dogo paid them ₦13,000 for transport and promised ₦100,000 upon completion. Investigations suggest the attack was driven by revenge, as the target had married Dogo’s former wife. Police confirmed efforts are under way to arrest Dogo.
Between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., the Command’s Anti-thuggery Squad raided Soje A, Soje B, and Kpakungu areas of Minna. Nine suspects were arrested and officers recovered solar batteries, knives, cutlasses, and a digger believed to be stolen. The suspects, aged between 14 and 27, included Sani Musa, Idris Aliyu, and Bilal Saminu.
In Shiroro, police arrested Mustapha Saleh (28) of Zumba for cultivating and trading in cannabis. Two bags of harvested cannabis were seized, while his accomplice, Shuaibu, fled and remains at large.
In another operation, officers attached to the GRA Division arrested two Senegalese nationals, Saidu Jah (25) and Sirinjuf Jibrin (25), in Minna. Acting on intelligence from Fadikpe community members, police found that the men, who spoke only French, could not explain their presence. They were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation.
Elsewhere in Tunga, Minna, at about 9 p.m., police arrested Hadiza Bala, known as Mama Sabir, for dousing her neighbour with hot water during a quarrel. The victim sustained severe burns to the face and chest. Police have charged Bala in court with attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt.
SP Abiodun reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property in Niger State.