Niger Police arrest suspects in coordinated raids across the state to combat thuggery, robbery, and drug-related crimes

The Niger Police arrest suspects operation has intensified as the state command carried out a series of coordinated raids across Kontagora, Minna, and Bida, targeting thuggery, robbery, and other criminal activities.

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In a statement on Saturday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that several suspects were apprehended between October 21 and 23, 2025, during the wide-ranging operations.

Abiodun said, “In continuation of the command’s clampdown on thuggery and other vices in the state, on 23rd October 2025 at about 2.30 p.m., police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Kontagora, conducted a sting operation at Tudun-Wada area of Kontagora and three suspects were arrested.”

The suspects — 22-year-old Abdullahi Abdullahi, 19-year-old Fahad Abubakar, and 28-year-old Nasiru Aliyu — were found with a large quantity of suspected cannabis, two knives, and a pair of military trousers.

Abiodun explained that an investigation was ongoing to determine the source of the illicit substances and uncover any potential links to a wider criminal network.

In Minna, police operatives raided several criminal hideouts between October 21 and 23, 2025, including Angwan-Sarki, Kuta Road, Sabon-Gari, Ogbomosho, Baida, and Makera. Seven suspects were arrested and charged to court, all found with cannabis, shisha pipes, and other contraband items.

In a related operation, two robbery suspects, 25-year-old Aliyu Salihu and 22-year-old Jibrin Ndako, both from Barkin-Saleh, Minna, were arrested at Tungan-Shanu, Maje, while attempting to flee to Kogi State after robbing a student in Bida.

Abiodun stated, “On October 22, 2025, at about 6.45 p.m., operatives attached to Maje Division intercepted the suspects with a white unregistered Lucky motorcycle.

They confessed to robbing a student of the bike, four handsets, and ₦40,000.”

Recovered items included the motorcycle, four phones, two ATM cards, and ₦7,000 remaining from the stolen cash. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation.

Abiodun reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ridding Niger State of criminal elements, urging residents to share credible information with the police to help strengthen public safety and sustain peace.

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The Niger Police arrest suspects effort underscores the command’s renewed resolve to restore law and order through intelligence-led policing and decisive enforcement actions.