Niger: Police nab robbers, rescue kidnapped women, children

The Niger State Police Command has achieved significant progress in its efforts to combat crime, resulting in the arrest of multiple suspects, the recovery of stolen items, the rescue of abducted victims, and the dismantling of a child trafficking syndicate across various parts of the state.

In a crime bulletin released on Wednesday, the Command reported the arrest of two suspects for criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, and armed robbery.

This followed a November 12 attack in the Gurara area of Minna, where armed robbers stole a laptop, mobile phones, and other personal items valued at over ₦758,000.

The suspects were apprehended through technical intelligence, allegedly confessed to the crime, and the stolen items were subsequently recovered. They have been arraigned and charged in court.

In another case, four suspects were arrested for conspiracy, theft, and receipt of stolen property involving ten 20-liter kegs of groundnut oil, which were allegedly taken from a shop in Kasuwan-Gwari Market, Minna.

The stolen items were recovered, and one suspected receiver was also apprehended. The suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue in preparation for prosecution.

Additionally, the Command reported the capture of two suspected phone snatchers in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State. Two stolen handsets were recovered from their possession. The suspects were noted to specialize in stealing phones from unsuspecting passengers in tricycles and have been charged in court.

Furthermore, one suspect was arrested in connection with attempted homicide and armed robbery after a commercial motorcyclist was attacked and robbed of his motorcycle in Maje.

The motorcycle has been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the suspect’s accomplice, who remains at large. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment.

In a related development, two young women who had been abducted from Kubwa, FCT, were rescued after being found abandoned along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

The victims, who were reportedly drugged and held captive by their abductors, have since received treatment and been reunited with their families. Investigations into the abduction are ongoing.

The State Police Command also reported the rescue of three additional children in a follow-up operation linked to an earlier child trafficking case. The children, aged between one and 13 years, were recovered from Benin City and Abuja after investigations revealed they had been trafficked and sold for millions of naira.

“All rescued children have been reunited with their parents, while additional suspects linked to the syndicate have been charged to court”, the statement added.

Confirming the incidents the Police Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, reiterated the Command’s commitment to protect lives and property, urging residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information.

Culled from Tribune