The Niger State Police Command has arrested 14 suspects for alleged illegal mining, vandalism, robbery, and theft of an electrical transformer.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the arrests in a statement on Saturday, adding that all the suspects had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
On 18 August, police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Minna, raided an illegal mining site at Mechanic Bye-Pass. Four suspects – Samaila Nuhu (20), Ahmad Mohammed (17), Musa Aliyu (20) and Umar Salihu (47) – were arrested with diggers, shovels and headpans, while others fled the scene.
A day later, victims of a robbery in Sauka-Kahuta reported that a 16-man gang had attacked them, stealing cash, foodstuffs and a mobile phone worth ₦75,000. One victim was stabbed in the leg. Four suspects – Mamud Mohammed, Abubakar Musa, Amadu Umar and Abdulkadir Suleiman – were later arrested. Recovered items included SIM cards, cutlasses, knives and charms.
In a separate operation, police intercepted a yellow truck carrying a suspected stolen 300KVA transformer along Kaduna Road. Six suspects – including Mustapha Haladu (28), Abubakar Ibrahim (26), and driver Aliyu Sadi (32) – were apprehended. Investigations revealed the group had planned to dismantle and sell the transformer in parts.
Abiodun said investigations were ongoing, and efforts were underway to arrest other accomplices.