By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The police in Niger state have arrested 27 thuggery suspects in Suleja area of the state as part of proactive measures for a peaceful Sallah festivity across the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed this Wednesday in Minna.
He explained that the raids were carried out by police operatives of the Tactical Support Team (TST) in collaboration with Suleja Area Command on 24th May, 2026.
According to him, ” the coordinated raid operations within Suleja metropolis, targeted identified criminal hideouts and blackspots known for harbouring thugs and other suspected miscreants disturbing public peace”.
He said, “The operations, which lasted from about 8:30 p.m to 12:00 midnight, covered Kantoma area, Babangida Market, and Panteka popularly referred to as “Jungle.” During the exercise, a total of twenty-seven (27) suspects were arrested while several dangerous weapons and suspected illicit substances were recovered”.
He listed items recovered from the suspects to include fifteen (15) mobile phones, ATM cards, suspected fake identity cards, ten (10) clubs locally known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, a curved long weapon popularly called “garrio,” two axes, scissors, knives, and a bag containing suspected cannabis.
The PPRO also named some of the suspects arrested at Panteka area popularly known as “Jungle,” to Haruna Idris, Imrana Halilu Abdullahi, Mohammed Isah, and Yusuf Surajo, all of Niger State. Others include Jibrin Shehu, Ahmad Samaila and Jamilu Idris, all of Katsina State.
Also arrested at the same location were Auwal Ibrahim, Mohammed Salisu, Murtala Mohammed, Abdulshakur Mohammed, Jibril Abubakar, Hamisu Abdullahi, Hassan Ismail, Mukhtar Adam, Adamu Ibrahim, Abba Ibrahim, Mutawakil Usman, Ibrahim Adam, Aliyu Jibrin, and others.
SP Abiodun said that all suspects are currently in Police custody undergoing further investigation and interrogation to ascertain their level of involvement in criminal activities and identify possible accomplices, after which they will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution
“The Police Command assures that raid operations of identified hideouts and blackspots shall be sustained to ensure a peaceful festivity and beyond, while urging members of the public to report any suspicious situation to the Police for immediate intervention”, he said.
