Niger State Police Arrest 12 Suspects for Theft and Violence

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects for crimes like housebreaking, shop burglary, theft, political thuggery, and destruction of property in the state.

The police also seized dangerous weapons and many stolen items during their operations.

Police Public Relations Officer Wasiu Abiodun shared this news in a crime bulletin on Sunday.

The statement revealed that Alhassan Abdullahi, 32, and Zahradeen Aliyu, 22, were caught for housebreaking and theft in the Maje Flyover area of Suleja. The police stated that unknown people broke into a house on 28 October and took about 120 litres of diesel in three jerrycans, a mobile phone, and some cash.

After an investigation, Mr Abdullahi was arrested and he named Mr Aliyu as the person who received the stolen goods. A search at Mr Aliyu’s home resulted in finding three empty jerrycans, housebreaking tools like a bolt cutter, a 42-inch television, and some clothes.

The police confirmed that both suspects have been charged in court.

In another case, police arrested a 32-year-old shop caretaker, Victor Peter, for allegedly breaking into five shops on KFF Street, Gidan-Kwano, Minna. This burglary happened in the early hours of 5 November, with stolen items worth over N2 million.

The stolen goods included two power banks, four traditional outfits, various clothing items, four pairs of shoes, chargers, and a music box. The police said Mr Peter admitted to committing the crime alone around 3:30 a.m. He reportedly hid the stolen items in an uncompleted building, planning to sell them for betting.

The police have taken the recovered items into custody, and he has also been charged in court.

The command further announced that seven suspects were arrested for political thuggery and violence during campaign events in Minna. Six suspects were caught on November 12 at the Trade Fair Complex, Shango, for engaging in thuggery during political activities.

These suspects were found with two cutlasses, four knives, scissors, and other dangerous weapons. Additionally, a well-known thug named Anasho was arrested near Tunga on November 13. The police claim he attacked a political campaign team, damaging vehicles, banners, and other materials. A cutlass was also recovered from him.

Anasho is still in police custody for further questioning.

In another case, the police arrested two suspects for theft, thuggery, and damaging property. One suspect, Lawal Mohammed, 35, was arrested after a report claimed he broke into a room in a compound at Angwan-Dakoko, Chanchaga, on November 10 and stole 11 wrappers and a power bank.

The police reported that they recovered four wrappers and the power bank from him. He is expected to face charges in court.

Meanwhile, police from the Maitumbi Division, with help from local vigilantes, arrested an 18-year-old named Kabiru Mikailu after an attack on a house in Angwan-Kadara. This incident took place around 11:30 p.m. on November 13, when attackers damaged a vehicle’s windscreen and broke four crates of soft drinks.

The police said Mikailu is believed to be one of the main planners of the attack. During questioning, he mentioned six others involved, known as Khalifa Usman, Abba Usman, Nafiu, Ali Zagam, Abubakar, and others who are still at large.

The police recovered four sticks and two cutlasses from him, and the investigation is ongoing. The police command has reaffirmed its commitment to fighting crime and ensuring public safety in Niger State.