The Niger State Police Command has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums from Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe and Niger states as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
- +Eid-el-Kabir: 27 suspected hoodlums nabbed in Niger raids
Operatives of the command carried out coordinated raids across Suleja metropolis, targeting identified criminal hideouts and blackspots allegedly used by thugs and other suspected miscreants disturbing public peace.
Operatives of the command carried out coordinated raids across Suleja metropolis, targeting identified criminal hideouts and blackspots allegedly used by thugs and other suspected miscreants disturbing public peace.
The operation, which lasted from 8:30am to 12 noon on Sunday, covered the Kantoma area, Babangida Market and Panteka, popularly known as “Jungle.”
During the raids, the police arrested 27 suspects and recovered dangerous weapons as well as suspected illicit substances.
Items recovered included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, fake identity cards, 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.
Confirming the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, the spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, listed some of the suspects arrested at the Panteka area, popularly known as “Jungle,” as Haruna Idris, 20; Imrana Abdullahi, 20; Mohammed Isah, 27; and Yusuf Surajo, 22, all from Niger State.
Others, according to him, included Jibrin Shehu, 26; Ahmad Samaila, 22; and Jamilu Idris, 23, all from Katsina State.
Abiodun added, “Also arrested at the same location were Auwal Ibrahim, 28; Mohammed Salisu, 20; Murtala Mohammed, 28; Abdulshakur Mohammed, 28; Jibril Abubakar, 30; Hamisu Abdullahi, 27; Hassan Ismail, 29; Mukhtar Adam, 38; Adamu Ibrahim, 27; Abba Ibrahim, 22; Mutawakil Usman, 27; Ibrahim Adam, 26; Aliyu Jibrin, 28; Mohammed Bashir, 30; and Zuhairu Ahmed, 30, all from Kano State, alongside Salisu Dauda, 22, from Yobe State.
“Similarly, Auwal Isah, 28, from Kaduna State residing along Madalla Road; Suleiman Abubakar, 28, from Kano State residing around Suleja Club; and Bala Musa, 25, from Kano State, were arrested around the Kantoma area, while Ibrahim Shuaibu, 22, from Kano State, was arrested at Babangida Market, all in possession of suspected cannabis and other illicit substances.”
The police spokesperson stated that the suspects were currently in custody, undergoing investigation and interrogation to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities and identify possible accomplices.
He added that the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.
Abiodun assured residents that the command would sustain raid operations beyond the festive period to rid the state of criminal elements.
“The police command assures that raids on identified hideouts and black spots will be sustained to ensure a peaceful festivity and beyond. Members of the public are urged to report suspicious activities to the police for prompt intervention,” he stated.
