At least 24 suspected criminals accused of terrorising communities on the outskirts of Minna, the Niger State capital, have been arrested in a coordinated operation by the state police command.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement released on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, who said the operation was carried out between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. on July 30.
Led by the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, the operation targeted known hideouts in Unguwan-Roka, Kwari-Berger, Flamingo, and Tudun Wada areas of the Maitumbi axis of Minna.
The police anti-thuggery unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), in collaboration with personnel from Maitumbi and Central Divisional Police Stations as well as local vigilantes, carried out the raid.
“The sting operation was aimed at tackling thuggery, armed robbery, and other social vices. The suspects were arrested at different locations during the operation,” Mr Abiodun said.
Among those arrested are Abubakar Nura (23), Auwal Mohammed (20), Suleiman Hassan (21), all of Unguwan-Roka, Alhassan Mohammed (19), and Usman Abubakar Bahaho (18), both of Maitumbi.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of several exhibits including an automatic pump-action gun with two live cartridges, a bolt cutter, cutlasses, scissors, shisha pots, and other suspected illicit substances.
In a related operation, the police also arrested two suspected gang members linked to another hideout in the area. They include Jemilu Ibrahim (23) of Berger Junction, and Jemilu Ilyasu (16) of Kwari-Berger
The duo was reportedly caught in a shop allegedly used by a known gang leader, Sudais. Mr Abiodun said the suspects attempted to evade arrest by threatening officers with a knife and trying to escape through the rooftop. More weapons, including knives and cutlasses, were recovered from under their bed.
Additional suspects arrested during the sting include Shafiu Umar Chukuli (30) of Maitumbi, Daniel Joseph (16) of Unguwan-Gwari, Saidu Aminu Babayi (25) of Tudun Maitumbi, Mustapha Mohammed (25) of Berger Junction.
According to the police, one of the houses used by the suspects was previously the scene of the killing of a vigilante member last year and remains a known criminal hideout.
The police further disclosed that 11 more suspects were arrested in separate incidents during the early hours of the same day. All the suspects are currently in custody, and investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gangs.
The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain calm and assured them that the command remains committed to tackling crime and safeguarding communities.
“The command will continue to be proactive in addressing crime and criminality and calls on members of the public to support security efforts with useful information,” Mr Abiodun added.
