Niger: Police nab three over alleged thuggery, robbery, car theft

The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspects for alleged armed robbery and acts of thuggery in Minna, the state capital.

According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, on September 14, 2024, at about 10:45 pm, the Chanchaga Police Division received information that some hoodlums, numbering six, armed with cutlasses and knives, attacked some persons around Old City Gate, by Eastern Bye-pass, Minna.

The hoodlums reportedly robbed the victims of their mobile phones and other valuables.

According to him, police patrol teams and vigilante members mobilised to the crime scene and arrested two suspects, Abba Salihu, 20 and Amar Haladu, 18, both of Angwan Kampani, Minna, while others escaped.

“The suspects were arrested with cutlasses and they confessed to having been among the miscreants attacking and causing unrest in Shango community area of Minna. Efforts to arrest other fleeing members are being intensified, ” he revealed.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that a suspected thief was arrested and a stolen vehicle was recovered from him.

According to him, the police received a distress call on September 4, 2024, at about 4 am that some hoodlums had invaded a residence in Tudun Wada, via Sabon-Wuse, Tafa and stole a Toyota Highlander vehicle with registration number ABJ 775 AT and other valuables.

Following the report, all security posts along Kaduna Road were alerted. Fortunately, the said vehicle was intercepted at a customs point along Kaduna Road with one Halilu Shuaibu, 28, of Gwarinpa, Abuja.

“The suspect claimed that the vehicle was given to him by one Baba Gadas of Zuba and to be taken to one Mubarak in Kaduna for disposal,” SP Abiodun added.

Meanwhile, the suspects have been transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and diligent prosecution.