The police have arrested 27 suspected thugs in separate operations across Minna, Niger State.
The police state command’s spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a crime bulletin issued on Wednesday in Minna.
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According to him, operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Division conducted sting operations on 4 and 5 July at identified criminal hideouts in Kafintella, Sauka-Kahuta and Building Materials Road, where they arrested 10 suspects.
Those arrested were identified as Rabiu Hassan, Musa Zaidu, Hassan Alhassan, Dahiru Mohammad, Abubakar Yahaya, Awwal Muhammad, Sadiq Ahmed, Muhammad Audu, Hassan Usman and Abdulahim Jibril.
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Mr Abiodun said the suspects were found with dangerous weapons, including a long, curved sickle, a digger, a stick and a shovel.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed that they travelled from Yobe State to Minna to engage in illegal mining activities.
They have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
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In a related operation conducted between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. on 6 July, operatives of ‘A’ Division raided suspected criminal hideouts around the PZ area, Angwan-Kaje, Saiko, Abdusalam Quarters, Tudun-Natsira and Paida, leading to the arrest of 17 suspects.
Among those arrested was Abdulkarim Mohammed, popularly known as “Na-Kareemu,” whom the police described as a notorious and wanted thug who had allegedly been evading arrest over previous criminal activities.
Police said four cutlasses, two knives, suspected cannabis and other illicit substances were recovered during the operation. The suspects are undergoing further investigation.
Stolen motorcycle recovered
The police also recovered a suspected stolen Bajaj motorcycle during a routine patrol around the Highpoint area of Minna on 7 July.
Mr Abiodun said officers on patrol spotted a suspect removing the motorcycle from a residential compound at about 3 a.m. The suspect reportedly abandoned the motorcycle and fled upon sighting the patrol team.
The owner later identified and claimed the recovered motorcycle, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Five arrested over alleged theft of 17 goats
In Mokwa, police arrested five suspects in connection with the alleged theft of 17 goats.
According to the police, officers intercepted the suspects on 7 July while they were loading the animals into a Toyota Corolla with registration number KNT 23 HP along the Mokwa Bypass Road.
The suspects were identified as Ramatu Yahaya, 24, of Bida; Amina Usman, 30, of Mokwa; Isyaku Yahaya, 15, of Bida; Danjuma Danladi, 31, of Bida; and Mohammad Adamu, 30, also of Bida.
Police said the suspects could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding ownership of the goats.
Further investigation allegedly revealed that the animals had been stolen within Mokwa town and were being transported to Bida for sale.
The goats have since been returned to their owners, while the suspects are expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded.
Two suspected robbers arrested
The command also announced the arrest of two suspected armed robbers and phone snatchers around the M.I. Wushishi Estate/Living Faith Junction in Minna.
The suspects, identified as Anas Sani, 18, and Ibrahim Saidu, 20, both residents of the New Market area of Minna, were arrested during a surveillance patrol on 7 July.
Recovered items included a face mask, a sharp cutlass, suspected cannabis, other illicit substances, jewellery, and ₦22,000 in cash.
Police said the suspects are undergoing preliminary investigation before their transfer to the SCID for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Suspect arrested for POS theft, three others over alleged ₦6 million fraud
Meanwhile, police have arrested a 21-year-old suspect, Kabiru Yusuf, for allegedly stealing point-of-sale (POS) machines from a shop along Kaduna Road in Minna.
According to the police, the suspect entered the shop, pretending to purchase an item before swapping the shop’s POS terminal with another he had in his possession.
The shop attendant reportedly caught him in the act, leading to his arrest.
Police said a search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of three POS machines and three ATM cards.
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In another case, police arrested Ahmed Mohammed, 18, following a complaint from a businessman in the Kwamba area about missing funds totalling ₦6 million.
Investigators said the suspect, who is the complainant’s nephew, allegedly confessed to stealing money from the victim’s house by hiding in the kitchen until the victim slept before escaping through the ceiling after taking the cash.
Police recovered ₦330,000 from the suspect, who allegedly admitted to stealing ₦1.5 million.
Two other suspects, Abdullahi Jibrin, 19, and Mohammed Salim, 18, were also arrested for allegedly assisting in spending the stolen money. Four mobile phones were recovered from them.
The police said investigations into the cases are ongoing and that the suspects will be prosecuted accordingly.
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