The Niger State Police Command has rounded up 12 suspects accused of a range of criminal activities spanning kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, and drug dealing. The arrests, which took place between August 22 and 25, are part of an ongoing effort to crack down on crime across the state.
In a particularly disturbing development, three men—Alhassan Tanko, 25; Basiru Shaibu, 26; and Ishaya Umar, 28—were apprehended in Uraga village, Mariga Local Government Area, on August 23. Acting on intelligence, police discovered these individuals were part of a group operating under the guise of a “Yansakai Vigilante” outfit. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to forming a seven-member syndicate that used the vigilante cover to perpetrate kidnappings and armed robberies.
Their alleged crimes went beyond taking people's freedom. The suspects claimed responsibility for the deaths of at least three kidnapping victims in Mariga and admitted to stealing their motorcycles. Police investigations suggest these stolen vehicles were then sold to a man identified as Awalu, who also hails from Beri. A search of the suspects' homes yielded a pump-action rifle, and authorities are now actively pursuing Awalu and other alleged gang members.
Another arrest targeted a suspected motorcycle thief, Abdulkarim Yunusa, who was nabbed in Kaduna State's Tafa Local Government Area. The Gawu-Babangida Division received a report on August 22 concerning a Bajaj motorcycle that had been entrusted to Yunusa in May. He allegedly converted the bike for his own use and then disappeared. Police tracked him down and recovered the motorcycle, which has since been returned to its owner. Yunusa has already been charged to court.
A significant drug bust occurred during a Maulud celebration in Minna on August 25. Police officers arrested Nazifi Adamu, a 25-year-old resident of Angwan-Limawa, Gwada. A search revealed he was carrying 10 packs of suspected Colorado cannabis, four cards of Rophynol tablets—a potent sedative—and a sachet of methamphetamine, commonly known as 'ice.' Adamu allegedly told investigators he brought the drugs from Kuta to sell at the festival. Further investigations are underway to trace the source of these substances.
In a separate incident, six individuals were arrested in connection with the stabbing death of 35-year-old Nafiu Mohammed in Maitumbi. The victim, from Sabon-Titi area, was attacked and fatally wounded on August 25. Responding officers from the Maitumbi Division confirmed his death at a local medical facility. The subsequent deployment of tactical teams to the Maitumbi area led to the arrest of Emmanuel Moses, 25; Lukman Mohammed, 25; Abdullahi Mohammed, 19; Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abdullahi Yusuf, 22; and Adamu Isyaku, 20. These suspects reportedly implicated a certain Muhammad Sani as being directly responsible for Nafiu Mohammed's death.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend Sani, while the arrested individuals are being questioned for alleged criminal conspiracy and thuggery.
A raid on suspected criminal hideouts along the Maitumbi-Gwada Road on August 25 resulted in the apprehension of three more individuals: Nura Murtala, 19; Idris Aliyu, 19; and Haruna Ibrahim, 21, all from Saiko. They were allegedly found in possession of cannabis, a cutlass, four scissors, and shisha pipes. These suspects will also face charges after investigations are concluded.
Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, has urged the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information to aid in the fight against crime.