The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in a series of raids targeting criminal hideouts, suspected thugs and areas identified as security flashpoints across the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, saying the operations were carried out in Suleja, Minna and other locations.
According to the police, 139 suspects were arrested during raids conducted in Suleja and surrounding communities following reports of an alleged violent rally and unlawful assembly in the area.
The operation was launched after suspected miscreants were reportedly seen carrying dangerous weapons and allegedly attacking and robbing members of the public.
Following the development, the Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4.
Acting on intelligence, the operatives carried out sting operations at several identified blackspots, including Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza.
The police said 64 of the 139 suspects were subsequently screened and allegedly found with large quantities of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges.
The 64 suspects were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetting, harbouring suspected criminals, providing information to miscreants, causing the disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons.
The suspects were reportedly remanded in a correctional centre.
In another operation in Minna, eight suspected thugs were arrested during early-morning raids on criminal hideouts in the Talakawa area of Tunga.
The police said operatives attached to Tudun-Wada Division conducted the operation at about 4:30am on August 11.
Those arrested were identified as Ashiru Sirajo, 19; Aminu Mahmud, 17; and Dadi Suleiman, 14.
A search of their residence allegedly led to the recovery of a long flexible cutlass, two large clubs locally known as “gora” and a shovel.
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The operation was later extended to Sauka-Kahuta, where an 18-year-old suspect, Jibrin Muhammad, was arrested.
Police alleged that Muhammad was found with two sharp daggers, an “ice bunker”, six lighters and suspected cannabis.
Similarly, four other suspects were arrested during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi.
The operation, conducted around 2:45am on August 9 by operatives of the Maitumbi Division in collaboration with local vigilantes, resulted in the arrest of Buhari Aliyu, 25; Shaabal Muhammed, 20; Mubarak Ahmad, 24; and Saifullah Muhammad, 21.
The suspects, all from Challenge Junction, Maitumbi, were allegedly found with illicit substances and shisha pots.
The command said investigations into the cases were ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigations.
The Niger State Police Command said the series of operations formed part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks, curb thuggery and strengthen security across the state.