Police arrest 71 suspects, Recover 10 AK Rifles, Rescue Kidnap Victims 

By Daniel Ebi, Minna

The Niger State Police Command has intensified its offensive against criminal networks, arresting 71 suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, child trafficking, fraud, 

Others are cattle rustling and other violent crimes, while recovering 10 AK rifles, 15 magazines and 330 rounds of live ammunition during operations conducted across the state in July.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, disclosed the achievements during a media briefing in Minna, saying intelligence-led operations and coordinated tactical raids dismantled

several criminal syndicates operating within Niger State and neighbouring parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna State.

 He said three kidnapped victims were rescued while several notorious suspects were apprehended.

Among those arrested was an alleged kidnap kingpin, Samaila Shefiu, popularly known as “Yakumujuri,” who police accused of masterminding a string of abductions in Gauraka, Garam, Kubwa, Bwari and along the Kaduna corridor. 

His arrest, alongside five suspected gang members, led to the recovery of multiple AK rifles hidden in forest locations and fresh revelations into the activities of the gang, including the alleged killing of a kidnapped victim during one of their operations.

In separate operations, police intercepted a suspect transporting five AK-47 magazines and 185 rounds of ammunition concealed inside a bag of cement, uncovered a fake identity card syndicate that allegedly produced forged NIN and voter cards for more than 1,000 people, rescued nine

trafficked children and a four-week-old abducted baby, and foiled an alleged self-kidnapping plot by two teenagers who reportedly attempted to extort ₦200,000 from a parent.

The Command also dismantled robbery, phone-snatching and POS fraud syndicates, arrested suspected cattle rustlers and violent thugs, recovered stolen motorcycles and vehicles, and seized illicit drugs, dangerous weapons, fake documents, ATM cards, POS machines, mobile phones, cash and other exhibits connected to criminal activities.

Elleman said the Command’s July operations resulted in the recovery of three motorcycles, two vehicles, 17 stolen goats and four cows, while numerous suspects have already been charged to court and others remain under investigation.

The Commissioner attributed the successes to improved intelligence gathering, professionalism of officers and sustained collaboration with residents, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and vowed that the ongoing offensive against kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements would be sustained to ensure the protection of lives and property across Niger State.