The Niger State Police Command has arrested 24 suspects for thuggery and armed robbery in Maitumbi area of Minna.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, 1st August, 2025 said one automatic pump gun with two live cartridges, a bolt cutter, cutlasses, knives, scissors, shisha pots and other Illicit substances were recovered from the suspects.
“The Niger State Police Command under the leadership of CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, mnips intensifies the fight against the menace of thuggery, youth restiveness and armed robbery in Minna metropolis in which on 30th July, 2025 at about 3am – 5.30am, Police operatives of Anti-thuggery unit of SCID Minna with Maitumbi, Central Police Stations and vigilante members stormed areas of Angwa-Roka, Kwari-Berger, Flamingo and Tudun under Maitumbi area of Minna for a sting operation against thuggery, armed robbery and other social vices,” the statement read.
“In the course of the operation, twenty-four suspects were arrested at various locations within the area, and some of the suspects are; Abubakar Nura 23yrs of Angw/Roka, Auwal Mohammed 20yrs of Angw/Roka, Suleiman Hassan 21yrs of Angw/Roka, Alhassan Mohammed 19yrs of Maitumbi.
“These suspects were arrested in Angwan-Roka in a residence where one Saidu Umar Namaska, presently at large who is a notorious gang leader used as a hideout.
“A search was carried out in the house and the following exhibits were recovered; one automatic pump gun with two live cartridges, one bolt cutter, cutlasses, scissors, shisha pots and other Illicit substances.
“Other suspects arrested include; Usman Abubakar Bahago 18yrs of Maitumbi, Abubakar Sadiq Bahago 24yrs of Angw/Roka, Mubarak Abubakar 18yrs of Angw/Roka
“These miscreants were also arrested in another house where one Sudaise, another gang leader usually assembles his gang for their escapades. They were equally arrested with some dangerous weapons.”
“Among the suspects are; Jemilu Ibrahim 23yrs of Berger junction, Jemilu Ilyasu 16yrs of Kwari-Berger.
“The two suspects were found in a shop, and during an attempt to effect arrest, they threatened the security team members with a knife while they tried to escape through the rooftop. Exhibits of cutlasses and knives were found under their bed.
“Also, parts of the suspects include; Shafiu Umar Chukuli 30yrs of Maitumbi, Daniel Joseph 16yrs of Angwan-Gwari, Saidu Aminu Babayi 25yrs of Tudun, Maitumbi, Mustapha Mohammed 25yrs of Berger junction. This batch of gang was found in a house where a vigilante member was k!lled last year and it’s one the houses used as a hideout.
“Eleven others were also arrested in different situations within the areas at the early hours of the day. However, all suspects are under investigation and efforts to arrest other gang members are in progress.
“The Commissioner of Police assured members of the public that the Command would continue to be proactive in tackling crime and criminality in our environment, and urged all to continue to support the Police with the needed cooperation in addressing these challenges.”
