Authorities detain 147 individuals in Niger crackdown, seize arms and marijuana

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The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in separate operations targeting criminal hideouts and alleged thuggery across the state.

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The command said 139 suspects were arrested during raids in Suleja and neighbouring areas following what it described as a recent “unlawful assembly and violent rally” in the town.

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In a crime bulletin issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, the police said the operation was launched after some miscreants were allegedly sighted with dangerous weapons and accused of attacking and robbing members of the public during the rally.

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The Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, subsequently deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4.

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The command said the team, acting on “actionable intelligence”, conducted sting operations at identified blackspots in Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza.

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“During the raid operations, a total number of one hundred and thirty-nine suspects were arrested at different locations mentioned above,” the statement said.

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According to the police, the suspects were subsequently screened, with 64 allegedly found to be miscreants in possession of large quantities of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges.

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The command said the 64 suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on allegations including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetment, harbouring suspected criminals, giving information to miscreants, causing disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons.

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“All suspects were remanded in correctional centre,” the statement added.

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In a separate operation, the police said eight suspects were arrested in raids targeting suspected thugs and criminal hideouts in Minna.

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The command said its surveillance team attached to Tudun-Wada Division conducted coordinated raids around the Talakawa area of Tunga, Minna, at about 4:30am on August 11.

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The suspects were identified as Ashiru Sirajo, 19; Aminu Mahmud, 17; and Dadi Suleiman, 14, all of Talakawa area, Tunga.

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The police said a search of their residence led to the recovery of a long flexible cutlass, two big clubs, locally called “gora”, and a shovel.

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The operation was later extended to the Sauka-Kahuta area, where the police said another suspected thug, Jibrin Muhammad, 18, was arrested.

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According to the command, he was allegedly found with two sharp daggers, an “ice bunker”, six lighters and suspected cannabis.

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The police also said four other suspects were arrested during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi.

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The operation was conducted at about 2:45am on August 9 by operatives of the Maitumbi Division in collaboration with local vigilantes.

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The suspects were identified as Buhari Aliyu, 25; Shaabal Muhammed, 20; Mubarak Ahmad, 24; and Saifullah Muhammad, 21, all of Challenge Junction, Maitumbi.

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The command said the suspects were allegedly found in possession of illicit substances and shisha pots.

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“Investigation is in progress and they will be charged to court immediately after the investigation,” the police said.

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The command said the operations were part of its efforts to tackle criminal activities and maintain security across Niger State.

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