Abuja Boutique Owners Caught Hiding Guns In Shops, Linked To Armed Robbery

The police in Niger State have arrested nine suspects, including two boutique owners based in Jabi, Abuja, over their alleged involvement in armed robbery, motorcycle theft, and culpable homicide.

The suspects are also accused of operating a criminal network that allegedly hid firearms inside boutique shops used as cover for their activities.

Politics Nigeria reports that the arrest followed a distress call from the Rafin-Chinaka area of Maje in Suleja Local Government Area. Police operatives attached to the Maje Division quickly responded and moved to the scene after reports that a resident had been robbed of a Jincheng motorcycle.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects attempted to flee after the robbery but were tracked down by a patrol team. One of them, identified as Bitrus James, was arrested while trying to escape with the stolen motorcycle.

He said the arrest of Bitrus opened up further investigations that led to the arrest of eight additional suspects connected to the same criminal network.

“In the course of investigation, the suspect mentioned one Aminu and two others as members of a syndicate which specialised in robbing victims of motorcycles and other valuables within Suleja, Kwamba and environs. Based on the suspect’s confession, eight other suspects were arrested in connection with the crime.”

The suspects arrested include Aminu Ibrahim of Jabi, Abuja, Gali Ibrahim Abubakar, Ibrahim Idris both from Kaduna road Suleja, Samaila Nasiru from Jabi, Abuja, Mohammed Sani of Kad road, Dorcas Thomas, Rejoice Samaila both of Durumi, and Musa Lawal of Sabon-Wuse.

Investigations revealed that Samaila Nasiru managed a boutique in Jabi for Aminu Ibrahim, where police say guns and other dangerous weapons were allegedly stored and concealed for robbery operations. Rejoice Samaila was also accused of harbouring Bitrus James in her residence in Durumi. Dorcas Thomas was said to have provided her personal details to enable Bitrus open a bank account used in processing proceeds from criminal activities, with records showing large financial movements.

Police further stated that preliminary findings linked Bitrus James, Aminu Ibrahim, Gali Abubakar, Ibrahim Idris, and two others still at large to a robbery gang that had been terrorising Suleja and surrounding communities.

According to SP Wasiu Abiodun, Bitrus and Aminu confessed to being part of a group that attacked one Alh. Monsa on May 31, 2026 at about 3am behind Niger Motel. He said the victim was stabbed with a jackknife and his motorcycle and a bag were taken during the attack.

Musa Lawal was also arrested as a suspected receiver of stolen motorcycles. He allegedly admitted to receiving several stolen motorcycles from Bitrus, Aminu, and Ibrahim Idris. He further disclosed that he usually handed them over to Sani Mohamed, who transported the motorcycles to buyers in Katsina, Kaduna, and other locations.

However, police say investigations are still ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and recover more stolen items.