SULEJA, Nigeria — The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in separate operations targeting criminal hideouts and alleged thuggery across the state. The command stated that 139 suspects were apprehended during raids in Suleja and its environs following a recent “unlawful assembly and violent rally” in the town.

According to a crime bulletin issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, the operation was initiated after miscreants were allegedly seen with dangerous weapons and accused of attacking and robbing members of the public during the rally. 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.

The police team, acting on “actionable intelligence,” conducted sting operations at identified blackspots including Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu, and Chaza. During these raids, a total of 139 suspects were arrested at various locations.

The police reported that after screening, 64 of these suspects were allegedly found to be miscreants in possession of large quantities of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses, and four live cartridges. These 64 individuals were subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on charges 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. All 64 suspects were remanded in a correctional centre.

In a separate operation, the police reported the arrest of eight suspects in raids targeting suspected thugs and criminal hideouts in Minna. The command’s surveillance team attached to the Tudun-Wada Division conducted coordinated raids around the Talakawa area of Tunga, Minna, at approximately 4:30 a.m. on August 11.

The suspects identified in this Minna operation include Ashiru Sirajo, 19; Aminu Mahmud, 17; and Dadi Suleiman, 14, all from the Talakawa area. A search of their residences reportedly led to the recovery of a long flexible cutlass, two large clubs locally known as “gora,” and a shovel.

The operation was extended to the Sauka-Kahuta area, where police arrested another suspected thug, Jibrin Muhammad, 18. He was allegedly found with two sharp daggers, an “ice bunker,” six lighters, and suspected cannabis.

Additionally, four other suspects were arrested during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Maitumbi. This operation, conducted at approximately 2:45 a.m. on August 9, involved operatives from the Maitumbi Division in collaboration with local vigilantes. The suspects, identified as Buhari Aliyu, 25; Shaabal Muhammed, 20; Mubarak Ahmad, 24; and Saifullah Muhammad, 21, all from Challenge Junction, Maitumbi, were allegedly found in possession of illicit substances and shisha pots.

The police stated that investigations are ongoing for these Maitumbi suspects and they will be charged to court immediately after the investigation concludes. The command emphasized that these operations are part of its ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities and maintain security across Niger State.