The Niger State Police Command has announced the arrest of several suspects in connection with alleged assassination plots, thuggery, drug cultivation, illegal immigration, and attempted culpable homicide across the state.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said two suspected assassins were arrested on August 23 at the railway crossing, Beji, in the Maikunkele area of Bosso Local Government.
He said, “A locally made pistol, a live cartridge and a sum of thirteen thousand naira were recovered” from the suspects, identified as Muhammad Mohammed, 40, and Mohammed Usman, 35.
The statement added: “During interrogation, both suspects confessed that they were hired by one Dogo of Beji to assassinate a person around the railway crossing area, and they were on their way to collect the service charge of one hundred thousand naira from Dogo before being arrested. They further claimed that Dogo initially gave them the sum of thirteen thousand naira as a transport fee, while they charged him one hundred thousand naira for the assignment.”
Preliminary investigation, according to the Command, revealed that “Dogo intended to kill the fellow because he married his ex-wife.”
The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and prosecution. The PPRO said, “effort to apprehend the said Dogo is intensified.”
In a separate operation on August 26, the Command’s Anti-Thuggery Squad stormed Soje A, Soje B, and Kpakungu areas of Minna between 2am and 5am, where nine suspects aged between 14 and 27 were arrested. Recovered items included two suspected stolen solar batteries, five knives, cutlasses, and a digger.
Abiodun said, “In continuation of the fight against thuggery and other vices in the state, and based on credible information, the Command’s Anti-Thuggery Squad stormed the identified areas during a sting operation. All suspects are under investigation in SCID Minna.”
Also, on August 27, police operatives in Shiroro arrested a 28-year-old man, Mustapha Saleh of Zumba, for cultivating cannabis. Saleh and an accomplice identified as Shuaibu, who is currently at large, were caught harvesting the leaves in their compound.
The police stated: “On sighting the team, both suspects took to their heels. However, one of them was apprehended and an investigation revealed that the suspects have been dealing in the business of cannabis. The exhibits of about two bags were recovered and the suspect was moved to the SCID Minna for further necessary action.”
The Command further disclosed that on August 21, two suspected illegal immigrants from Senegal were arrested at Fadikpe, Minna.
The men, identified as Saidu Jah and Sirinjuf Jibrin, both 25, could only communicate in French and could not give a satisfactory account of themselves.
“With the help of an interpreter, they were interrogated but could not provide any useful explanation. However, they were transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and necessary action,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, a woman identified as Hadiza Bala, alias Mama Sabir, was arrested for pouring hot water on her neighbour during a dispute over children’s faeces at their residence on Peter Sarki Road, Tunga, Minna.
The statement explained: “The victim reported that on the 7th of August, she had an altercation with her neighbour over her children’s excreta which was later settled. Surprisingly, on the 9th of August, the suspect targeted her within the compound and poured hot water on her body, and as a result, she sustained serious injuries on the face and chest.”
The PPRO confirmed that “the suspect was immediately arrested, investigated and charged to court for attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt with hot water.”
SP Abiodun stressed that the Command would continue to clamp down on violent crime and other vices across the state.
“We are intensifying our fight against criminal elements and urge members of the public to continue to provide useful information to aid police operations,” he said.
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