The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in separate raids on criminal hideouts and suspected thuggery across the state, recovering weapons, cannabis and other illicit items.
The command said 139 suspects were arrested during raids in Suleja and neighbouring communities following a recent unlawful assembly and violent rally in the town.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the operation followed reports of miscreants allegedly armed with dangerous weapons and attacking and robbing members of the public during the rally.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4.
Acting on intelligence, the team raided identified blackspots in Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza, arresting 139 suspects.
The police said 64 of those arrested were allegedly found with large quantities of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges.
The suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on allegations including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetting, harbouring suspected criminals, giving information to miscreants, causing disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons.
The command said the suspects were remanded in a correctional centre.
In a separate operation in Minna, eight suspects were arrested during raids on suspected thugs and criminal hideouts.
Three suspects — Ashiru Sirajo, 19; Aminu Mahmud, 17; and Dadi Suleiman, 14 — were arrested at Talakawa area of Tunga during an operation by the Tudun-Wada Division at about 4:30am on August 11.
A search of their residence allegedly led to the recovery of a long flexible cutlass, two clubs locally known as “gora” and a shovel.
The operation was extended to Sauka-Kahuta, where 18-year-old Jibrin Muhammad was arrested and allegedly found with two sharp daggers, an “ice bunker”, six lighters and suspected cannabis.
Four other suspects were also arrested during a separate raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi.
The suspects — Buhari Aliyu, 25; Shaabal Muhammed, 20; Mubarak Ahmad, 24; and Saifullah Muhammad, 21 — were allegedly found with illicit substances and shisha pots.
The police said investigation into the cases was ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court after its conclusion.
The command said the operations were part of its efforts to curb criminal activities and maintain security across Niger State.
