The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven suspects in separate operations across Minna, Suleja and Paiko, and secured a two-year jail term without option of fine for a motorcycle thief, the Command said in its crime bulletin released on Sunday, August 3, 2026.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the arrests were made between July 20 and July 26, 2026, and involved cases of theft, thuggery, illegal possession of weapons, cannabis, and self-abduction.
Motorcycle Thief Bags 2 Years in Jail
According to the bulletin, one Abubakar Danladi, 22, of New-Market Minna was arrested on July 26, 2026, at about 1pm with a black TVS motorcycle, Reg. No. GWN 436 QB, stolen from outside a lodge in Gidan-Kwano.
“Police operatives of Kpakungu Division and vigilante members arrested the suspect with the said motorcycle at Dama area via Gidan-Kwano,” Abiodun stated.
During investigation, the suspect confessed. He was charged to court on July 30, 2026, and the Magistrate found him guilty, sentencing him to two years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Three Arrested for Thuggery, Weapons and Cannabis
In another operation on July 25, 2026, at about 2:30am, police and vigilante members raided blackspots around Albishiri area. Two suspects, Awwal Abdullahi, 25, and Abdulkadir Abdullahi, 23, both of Albishiri, were arrested with dangerous weapons including a long sickle, two cutlasses, two sticks and suspected cannabis.
They have been investigated and charged to court, awaiting trial.
Earlier on July 20, 2026, at about 6:30pm, a patrol team also arrested one Titus Felix, 20, of Garatu in possession of suspected cannabis and a Paxol container. He was likewise charged to court.
Teenager and Accomplice Arrested for Self-Abduction
Police in Suleja also foiled a case of self-abduction. On July 21, a complaint was lodged at B Division that Kelvin Faga, 15, who went to church on July 20, did not return. The next day, the family received a call demanding ₦200,000 ransom.
Acting on intelligence, police found Kelvin on July 25 at a hotel in Suleja with his alleged accomplice, Mayowa Ojewuyi aka “Mayor”, 17.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed that they planned to extort the sum of ₦200,000 from Kelvin’s father after which they would share the proceeds of the crime,” the PPRO said.
Both suspects are in custody at SCID Minna and will be charged to court.
Man Arrested with Locally Made Gun, AK-47 Ammo
On July 25, 2026, at about 7:30pm, a Safer Highway Patrol team at Pogo village via Paiko arrested one Malachi Bitrus of Munya area with a locally made gun and three rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
The suspect, who claimed to be a vigilante and forest officer, could not give a satisfactory account of the firearm. He has been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation.
The Command reiterated its commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and urged residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies.