Commissioner of Police says intelligence-led operations led to arrests for kidnapping, armed robbery, fraud, child trafficking, and other crimes across the state.
The Niger State Police Command says it arrested 71 suspects and recovered 10 AK rifles during a series of intelligence-led operations carried out across the state in July 2026.
Speaking during a press briefing in Minna on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said the Command's achievements resulted from sustained intelligence gathering, strategic deployment of personnel, aggressive patrols, raids on criminal hideouts, and cooperation from members of the public.
The Commissioner disclosed that one of the Command's major breakthroughs was the arrest of six suspects linked to criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery and culpable homicide. He said the operation targeted a kidnapping network operating around Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka, Kaduna Road, and parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the Police, the alleged gang leader, Samaila Shefiu, also known as Yakumujuri, was arrested on July 10 near Kpakungu Roundabout following intelligence-led surveillance. Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of five additional suspects, the rescue of three kidnapped victims, and the recovery of 10 AK rifles and ammunition from different locations. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects who remain at large.
In a separate operation, police operatives intercepted a suspect in Tegina on July 28 while allegedly transporting five AK-47 magazines and 185 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a cement bag. The suspect is currently under investigation.
The Command also announced the arrest of a 42-year-old suspect accused of producing fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards and Permanent Voter Cards. Police alleged that 105 fake NIN cards and 189 fake voter cards were recovered during the operation and claimed the suspect admitted producing fraudulent documents for more than 1,000 people in parts of Munya and Wushishi Local Government Areas. The police said investigations are continuing.
Other notable operations during the month included the arrest of five suspects over an armed robbery attack along the Kontagora-Koko Besse road, where a vehicle and personal belongings were reportedly stolen from travellers. Police said exhibits connected to the robbery were recovered.
The Command further reported the arrest of two teenagers who allegedly staged a self-kidnapping in Suleja in an attempt to extort ₦200,000 from a family member. According to police, the suspects confessed during interrogation and will be charged to court after investigations.
Police also arrested a suspect for the theft of a motorcycle belonging to a student of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, while coordinated raids across several locations in Minna led to the arrest of 27 suspects over alleged thuggery, criminal conspiracy and possession of dangerous weapons. The Command said the suspects have been charged to court.
Among other operations highlighted were the recovery of a stolen motorcycle abandoned by a fleeing suspect, the arrest of five suspects over the theft of 17 goats in Mokwa, and the arrest of two suspected armed robbers allegedly involved in phone-snatching activities in Minna.
The Command also announced the arrest of a suspect accused of swapping Point of Sale (POS) machines from business premises, with three POS machines, ATM cards and cash recovered. Police further arrested two suspects over alleged child trafficking, rescued nine children, and said the victims had been reunited with their families.
In another case, detectives arrested two suspects over the alleged abduction of a four-week-old baby in Minna. Police said the infant was rescued unharmed and reunited with the child's mother, while investigations continue.
The Commissioner also listed the arrest of suspected cattle rustlers and vehicle theft suspects, leading to the recovery of four cows, two stolen vehicles and several motorcycles. Additional arrests were made in connection with phone snatching, robbery and violent thuggery in different parts of Minna and surrounding communities.
Summarising the Command's operations for July, CP Elleman said police arrested 71 suspects, recovered 10 AK rifles, 15 AK magazines, 330 rounds of ammunition, rescued nine trafficked children and one abducted infant, recovered 17 goats, four cows, three motorcycles, and two vehicles. Other exhibits recovered included fake identity documents, POS machines, ATM cards, suspected illicit drugs, cash and various weapons.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Command's commitment to intelligence-led policing and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at improving public safety across Niger State.
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