The Niger State Police Command has announced the arrest of 29 individuals implicated in various criminal activities across the state. Among those apprehended are four men suspected of the gruesome murder of a village head, a crime that has sent shockwaves through the Munya Local Government Area.
On August 23rd, at approximately 7 a.m., authorities received a distress call reporting an attack on Bawa Barde, the 53-year-old village head of Zhilu in Fuka District. Officers responding to the scene found Mr. Barde in a critical condition, bleeding profusely from machete wounds in his backyard. He was rushed to a medical facility but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. The police identified the four arrested suspects as Zegi Dogari, 48; Danjuma Galadima, 50; Bashir Umar, 32; and John Doma, 35.
They were apprehended between August 25th and 28th following swift investigations.
The police allege that the motive for the attack stemmed from disagreements involving Bashir Umar, who is reportedly a cousin to the deceased. Sources suggest that Mr. Barde had warned Mr. Umar against creating a grazing route through his farmland, a conflict that allegedly escalated to violence. Further investigations by the police uncovered a disturbing allegation against Zegi Dogari, a traditional herbalist, who is accused of having an affair with the late village head's wife.
Mr. Dogari reportedly confessed to this affair and was allegedly ordered to pay a N700,000 fine. The suspects, who are said to have various familial ties to the deceased, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further interrogation before they are expected to face charges of culpable homicide.
In a separate operation, the police nabbed three men for allegedly stealing a cow in Katcha Local Government Area. The suspects, Tukur Ado, 25; Musa Ibrahim, 42; and Isah Madaki, 50, were apprehended on August 25th after a police surveillance team spotted them in a Toyota Corolla loaded with a cow. The driver attempted to evade the officers, leading to a chase that ended near Talba Estate Road. A cow was recovered from the vehicle. During interrogation, the suspects admitted to stealing the animal from Kateregi in the Katcha LGA.
Further operations by the command led to the arrest of nine other suspects involved in thuggery, disturbing public peace, causing injury, and illegal possession of dangerous weapons. Six individuals were arrested on August 24th during a raid in the Angwan-Kanawa area of Kpakungu, where police recovered suspected cannabis, a cutlass, scissors, and a black bag. Three more suspects were apprehended on August 25th at Marikichi following a street fight. One of these suspects, Mustapha Abdulkadir, allegedly used a cutlass to seriously injure Ibrahim Mohammed’s right hand. The victim received medical attention while the suspects are facing charges.
The police also reported the recovery of a locally made pistol at a mining site in Dogon-Ruwa village, Bosso Local Government Area, following an anonymous tip. Investigators are working to trace the origin of the firearm. Additionally, a 28-year-old suspect, Jeremiah Dogara, was arrested on September 1st at Diko Junction for allegedly attempting to sell a stolen Bajaj motorcycle. Mr. Dogara confessed to stealing the motorcycle from Kateri village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State in August.
He has been charged, and efforts are underway to locate the motorcycle’s owner.
Finally, a midnight raid on known criminal hotspots in Chanchaga Local Government Area on September 5th resulted in the arrest of 12 suspected miscreants. Among them were Victor Solomon, 25, allegedly found with a dagger, and Osama Baushe, 17, who was reportedly carrying a sword. These suspects are currently in custody pending further investigation and potential prosecution. In another development on September 5th, officers from the Maitumbi division arrested Yusuf Musa, 20, in connection with an alleged armed robbery and housebreaking incident. Mr.
Musa reportedly confessed to breaking into a house behind the Dana area in Maitumbi with an accomplice and stealing items including a smart television and an orthopedic mattress.