Armed Robbery Suspects- Niger State Police Command has successfully apprehended 24 suspected armed robbers during a coordinated sting operation in Minna, the state capital. The operation, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 30, 2025, around 3:00 a.m., was a strategic response to rising concerns about criminal activity in the area, particularly thuggery, youth restiveness, and armed robbery.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the arrests were the result of an intensified anti-crime campaign ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Elleman.
“The Niger State Police Command under the leadership of CP Adamu Elleman, has intensified the fight against the menace of thuggery, youth restiveness, and armed robbery in Minna metropolis,” Abiodun stated.
Police Arrest 24 Armed Robbery Suspects from Multiple Hideouts
During the sting operation, a pump-action rifle, two live cartridges, and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects. The operation, which lasted between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m., targeted high-risk areas including Angwa-Roka, Kwari-Berger, Flamingo, and Tudun within the Maitumbi area of Minna.
The coordinated effort involved operatives of the Anti-Thuggery Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), personnel from Maitumbi and Central Police Stations, and local vigilante members.
Among the 24 suspects arrested for armed robbery are:
- Abubakar Nura (23)
- Auwal Mohammed (20)
- Suleiman Hassan (21)
- Alhassan Mohammed (19)
These individuals were apprehended in a residence at Angwan-Roka, which was identified as a hideout for a notorious gang leader, Saidu Umar Namaska, who is currently at large. A search of the residence led to the recovery of several incriminating items including:
- One automatic pump-action gun
- Two live cartridges
- A bolt cutter
- Cutlasses and knives
- Scissors and shisha pots
- Other illicit substances
Other suspects, including Usman Abubakar Bahago (18), Abubakar Sadiq Bahago (24), and Mubarak Abubakar (18), were arrested in another hideout used by a known gang leader named Sudaise. These individuals were found in possession of dangerous weapons and are believed to be responsible for multiple criminal activities across Minna.
Two additional suspects, Jemilu Ibrahim (23) and Jemilu Ilyasu (16), were found hiding in a shop at Berger Junction. During an attempt to arrest them, they reportedly threatened security officers with knives and tried to escape through the rooftop. Subsequent searches uncovered cutlasses and knives hidden under their bed.
Some of the suspects, including Shafiu Umar Chukuli (30), Daniel Joseph (16), Saidu Aminu Babayi (25), and Mustapha Mohammed (25), were arrested in a residence linked to the murder of a vigilante member last year. The location has long been under surveillance as one of the operational hideouts for armed criminals in Minna.
In total, 24 suspects were arrested in connection with armed robbery and related criminal offenses. Police confirmed that 11 of the suspects were picked up in separate locations during early morning raids.
DSP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that all arrested individuals are currently under investigation. He also emphasized that the police are actively working to track down and apprehend other members of the criminal gangs still at large.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest other gang members who fled the scene during the operation. We urge members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible information to help in cleansing the state of criminal elements,” Abiodun added.
The Niger State Police Command has reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and restoring peace in the state. Residents have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to security agencies. The arrest of these 24 armed robbery suspects marks a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to combat organized crime in Minna.
Authorities warn that criminal hideouts will continue to be raided and that no stone will be left unturned in the mission to eliminate the threats posed by armed gangs and violent youth groups.
Source- Punchng
