The Niger State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate operating in Minna and its environs, recovering a Beretta pistol and two live ammunition from the suspects.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a crime bulletin issued on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
According to the statement, the arrests followed a robbery attack at Sauka-Kahuta area of Minna on August 11, when armed robbers reportedly invaded several residences around 2am and stole laptops, mobile phones, motorcycles and other valuables.
Following the incident, operatives of the Tudun-Wada Division visited the scene, recovered some exhibits and commenced investigation. The investigation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Isiya Auwal, identified as the alleged gang leader, behind the U.K. Bello Theatre Centre on August 17.
Police said Auwal subsequently assisted detectives in arresting three other alleged members of the syndicate: 27-year-old Muhammad Tanko of Sauka-Kahuta, arrested in Tafa; 35-year-old Francis Yusuf, also known as Sisko, arrested at Dikko Junction; and 28-year-old Amir Musa of Keffi, Nasarawa State, who was arrested in Keffi.
The suspects allegedly confessed to carrying out armed robberies around Mandela, Sauka-Kahuta, Barkin-Sale, Farm Centre and Highpoint areas of Minna.
They reportedly identified 50-year-old Ismaila Abdullahi of Angwan-Roka, Maitumbi, as the custodian of their firearm.
Acting on the information, police operatives arrested Abdullahi on August 19 and recovered a Beretta pistol with two live ammunition in his possession.
Further investigation, according to the command, revealed that the syndicate allegedly sold stolen items to a suspected receiver identified as Ahmed, also known as “Genuine,” of Maitumbi.
The command said all the suspects are currently undergoing further investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the alleged receiver.
In a separate operation, police operatives attached to Mokwa Division arrested a 27-year-old man, Abdulmumini Lawal, for allegedly stealing livestock.
Lawal, a resident of Sawmill area of Mokwa, was arrested around 5am on August 20 along the Mokwa-Jebba Road at Lafiagi area, with two goats and one sheep suspected to have been stolen.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the animals and led police to the residence where he reportedly stole them.
He was said to be taking the animals to Ilorin, Kwara State, when he was intercepted.
The suspect has since been charged to court for prosecution.
The command also reported the arrest of eight suspected miscreants during a raid on identified criminal blackspots in Maitumbi, Minna.
The operation, conducted at about 1:30am on August 23 by police operatives attached to Maitumbi Division in collaboration with vigilante members, led to the recovery of dangerous weapons and cannabis.
Those arrested were Anas Sani, found with a sickle and sticks; Ibrahim Musa, with a cutlass and sticks; Isah Haruna, with a long knife; Buhari Usman, with a knife and suspected cannabis; Yusuf Shehu, with a knife; Halilu Abubakar, with cannabis; Saidu Idris and Musa Idris, also known as Fresh.
The suspects remain in police custody and are undergoing investigation before being charged to court.
Meanwhile, police operatives in Kotangora Division rescued two suspected motorcycle thieves from an angry mob after they were reportedly caught with a stolen motorcycle.
The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Hassan Adamu and 28-year-old Bashar Isah, both residents of Usubu area of Kotangora, were arrested on August 24 at about 8pm following information that they were in possession of a suspected stolen motorcycle.
Police said the suspects were rescued from an agitated crowd that had gathered at the scene and attempted to lynch them.
During interrogation, they allegedly confessed to stealing the motorcycle at about 3am the same day from a residence in the Federal Low Cost area of Kotangora. The suspects remain under investigation and are expected to be charged to court.
In another development, the command arrested a 35-year-old man, Aminu Yusuf of Unguwan-Tukura, Kotangora, for allegedly posing as a medical doctor and administering treatment without medical qualifications.
Yusuf was arrested on August 24 at about 4:30pm following credible information received by the police.
The command said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly been administering medications and injections to members of the public despite having no medical background or relevant medical documents.
According to the police, he allegedly administered injections to a woman and other women and collected N30,000 from each of them.
The suspect is currently undergoing further investigation and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.
The Niger State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling crime and protecting residents, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies.