Police Nab 147 Suspects in Niger Raids, Recover Cannabis, Weapons
The Niger State Police Command says it has arrested 147 suspects in separate operations targeting criminal hideouts and alleged thuggery across the state. According to the command, 139 suspects were arrested during raids in Suleja and surrounding communities following what police described as an unlawful assembly and violent rally in the area. In a crime bulletin issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the operation followed reports that some individuals had been seen carrying dangerous weapons and were allegedly involved in attacks and robbery during the rally. Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, led b CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4. The police said the team acted on intelligence and carried out raids at identified criminal blackspots in Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza. The operations resulted in the arrest of 139 suspects. After screening, police said 64 of them were allegedly found with suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges. The 64 suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on allegations including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetment, harbouring suspected criminals, passing information to miscreants, causing disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons. Police said all 64 suspects were remanded in a correctional centre. In a separate operation in Minna, police said eight suspected thugs were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts. Operatives attached to the Tudun-Wada Division reportedly carried out a raid around Talakawa, Tunga, at about 4:30am on August 11. Three suspects were arrested and police said a search of their residence led to the recovery of a flexible cutlass, two clubs locally known as “gora” and a shovel. The operation was later extended to Sauka-Kahuta, where police arrested another suspect, Jibrin Muhammad, 18, who was allegedly found with two daggers, an “ice bunker”, six lighters and suspected cannabis. Four additional suspects were arrested during a separate raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi. Police said the suspects were allegedly found with illicit substances and shisha pots. The command said investigation into the Maitumbi arrests is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court after the investigation. The police said the operations form part of ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities, thuggery and other security threats across Niger State.
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