Ten suspected robbers and thugs have been arrested by the Niger State Police Command in a crackdown on criminal gangs operating in parts of Minna, with dangerous weapons and suspected cannabis recovered from the suspects.

The arrests followed separate intelligence-led patrols and raid operations conducted by police operatives in collaboration with local vigilante groups.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed in a statement on Friday three suspects were arrested while allegedly attempting to rob passengers in a tricycle along the Kwari-Begger/Maitumbi axis of Minna.

According to him, operatives attached to the Tactical Support Team were on routine patrol on June 4 when they spotted a group of armed youths wielding cutlasses and knives.

The suspects, identified as Sadiq Ibrahim, 25, Abdulazeez Ahmed, 25, and Ibrahim Abdullahi, 26, all residents of Kwari-Begger, Maitumbi, were immediately apprehended.

Abiodun said two cutlasses and a jackknife were recovered from the suspects, who allegedly confessed during interrogation that they intended to dispossess passengers of their phones and other valuables.

In a related operation, police operatives attached to the Central Police Station, alongside vigilante members, raided criminal hideouts around PZ area, Sabon-Gari, Abdulsalam Quarters, Tayi Village and Seyeno on June 2.

Seven additional suspects were arrested during the raid, while two sharp curved weapons and quantities of suspected cannabis were recovered.

The police spokesman said all the suspects are currently in custody and undergoing further investigation.

Meanwhile, he stated that the command also arrested a suspect, Abubakar Alfa, for allegedly being in possession of a locally made pistol and a cutlass at a public function in Katcha.

The suspect was arrested by operatives attached to Katcha Division on June 1 after he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for possessing the weapon.

He has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation.

In another development, the police recovered an abandoned Volkswagen vehicle with registration number KUJ 113 SB along the Suleja-Minna Road.

Abiodun said the vehicle had reportedly been abandoned near Farin-Doki for three days before police operatives from Paiko Division, assisted by community members, moved it to the station for safekeeping and investigation.

The command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the robbery syndicate and unravel circumstances surrounding the abandoned vehicle.

Suspected bandits have abducted a nine-year-old boy and vandalised two residential buildings during an attack on Igbosi area of Idogun in Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Friday when the armed men stormed the community, firing gunshots indiscriminately to create panic among residents before carrying out the attack.

The abducted child, identified as Oluwatobi, is the son of a local cleric, Isaac Olaosebikan.

Sources within the community said the attackers invaded the area at about 1 a.m., causing residents to flee their homes for safety. Many reportedly escaped to neighbouring communities after hearing repeated gunshots.

According to residents, the assailants damaged two buildings during the operation before abducting the boy and taking him to an unknown destination.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the command had launched a manhunt for the kidnappers and intensified efforts to secure the victim’s release.

“The Ondo State Police Command has commenced an intensive manhunt for suspected kidnappers who abducted a nine-year-old boy during a violent attack on residents of Ugbosi Quarters, Idogun, in Ose Local Government Area of the state,” he said.

Ayanlade explained that the incident was reported at about 2:30 a.m. by Isaac Olaosebikan and another resident, Joel Owalekan.

According to him, preliminary reports indicated that the armed men invaded the community at about 1:30 a.m., shooting sporadically and throwing residents into confusion.

He said the attackers forced their way into the residence of Olaosebikan, who escaped into a nearby bush in a bid to save his life.

“During the attack, the assailants reportedly forced their way into the residence of Mr Olaosebikan Isaac. In a desperate attempt to save his life, he escaped into the surrounding bush, leaving behind his nine-year-old son, Master Olaosebikan Victor, who was subsequently abducted by the armed men,” the police spokesman stated.

Ayanlade added that Owalekan also reported that the same group attempted to break into his residence and damaged parts of the building. He, however, escaped unharmed after fleeing the scene.

The police spokesperson disclosed that operatives of the command, in collaboration with personnel of the Amotekun Corps, had been deployed to the area and had commenced a coordinated rescue operation.

He said security teams were combing nearby forests and possible escape routes in an effort to rescue the child and apprehend those behind the attack.

According to him, investigations have commenced, while relevant exhibits recovered from the scene are being examined to aid efforts to track down the suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, has directed tactical units, intelligence operatives and other security teams to intensify efforts toward rescuing the victim unharmed and bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Ayanlade said the command was also working closely with other security agencies and local vigilante groups to ensure the successful rescue of the abducted boy and the arrest of all those involved in the crime.

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested seven suspects during an intelligence-driven and multiple operations across Sango-Ota, Owode-Egba and Agbado area of the state.

The suspects were arrested for armed robbery, house breaking, stealing, conspiracy, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace. 

They are 17-year-old Mubarak Lateef, 21-year-old Pelumi Akintande, Mojeed Sanusi aged 28 years, Damilare Makanjuola aged 22, Ezra Modi aged 22, 28 years old Tijani Jubril and Waris Adebesin aged 22.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi said the first three suspects were arrested in Sango-Ota for armed robbery and a locally fabricated cut-to-size pistol with one expended cartridge allegedly used in the operation were recovered. 

Part of the statement reads, “Operatives of Sango-Ota Division arrested Pelumi Akintande ‘m’, 21 years, Mojeed Sanusi ‘m’, 28 years, and Mubarak Lateef ‘m’, 17 years, following a reported armed robbery incident in Alasia Community. The suspects were alleged to have participated in the attack on a resident during which valuables were forcefully taken. 

“Acting on prompt response and credible information from members of the public, the operatives swiftly tracked and arrested the suspects. A locally fabricated cut-to-size pistol and one expended cartridge allegedly used in the operation were recovered. Investigation is ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.

“Operatives of Owode-Egba Division arrested Damilare Makanjuola ‘m’, 22 years, in connection with house breaking and stealing at Ofada. Further investigation linked him to other reported burglary incidents within Sun City Estate, Ofada, where electrical items, cash above N100,000, and personal valuables were allegedly stolen. Recovered items have been secured as exhibits, while investigation continues.

“Operatives of Owode-Egba Division also arrested Tijani Jubril ‘m’, 28 years, and Ezra Modi ‘m’, 22 years, for conspiracy and stealing within Treasure Island Estate, Awo Village. The suspects were intercepted while attempting to dispose of stolen electrical appliances concealed in a sack, allegedly removed from a residential property within the estate.

“Operatives of Agbado Division arrested Waris Adebesin ‘m’, 22 years, for conduct likely to cause breach of peace and threatening violence. The suspect was allegedly found armed with a knife while creating tension and disrupting access around a secondary school environment.

“The swift intervention of the Police prevented escalation of panic, restored calm, and ensured the safety of students, staff and members of the public. The knife was recovered at the point of arrest.”

According to the spokesperson, the coordinated operations, executed with speed, professionalism and community support, showed the command’s commitment to ensuring sustained safety, peace, and security across the state.

He noted that all suspects are currently in custody undergoing investigation, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other individuals linked to the various incidents. 

The image maker stated that the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the gallant operatives for their professionalism, swift response, and disciplined conduct throughout the operations and appreciated members of the public for their vigilance and timely information.

The Command also sympathized with affected victims and assure them that justice would be pursued diligently and without compromise.