Police raid criminal hotspots, arrest 21 suspected thugs, recover weapons in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities in Minna, arresting 21 suspected thugs in separate raids and recovering dangerous weapons, including a locally made pistol.

The arrests were made during targeted operations by police operatives attached to Kpakungu and Chanchaga divisions as the command moved against identified criminal hotspots across the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Sunday, said operatives of Kpakungu Division conducted a raid at Angwan-Kanawa, Kpakungu, on August 24 at about 9:30pm, leading to the arrest of six suspects.

The suspects include Sani Ibrahim, 18; Abdulkareem Hassan, 20; Salmanu Ishaq, 18; Nasiru Mukhtar, 18; Suleiman Yusuf, 18; and Abdulsalam Shuaibu, all residents of the area.

Abiodun stated that the suspects were arrested with suspected cannabis, a cutlass, two scissors, a black bag and other illicit items.

The following night, three more suspects identified as Ibrahim Mohammed, 18; Mustapha Abdulkadir, 20; and Mustapha Mohammed, 19, were arrested at Marikichi while they were engaged in a fight among themselves.

According to the police, Mustapha Abdulkadir allegedly used a cutlass to inflict serious injuries on Ibrahim Mohammed’s right hand.

The injured victim was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while all three suspects were subsequently charged to court.

In a separate operation on September 1, operatives of Chanchaga Division stormed identified blackspots around Angwan-Dakoko, Angwan-Kwakwa and Angwan-Gwari at about 12:30am.

The police spokesman revealed that 12 suspected miscreants were arrested during the midnight raid. Two of the suspects were identified as Victor Solomon, 25, also known as Tumbeleke, who was allegedly found with a sharp dagger, and Osama Saidu Baushe, 17, who was allegedly found with a sharp sword

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The command further stated that all the suspects remained in custody for further investigation and prosecution.