The Niger State Police Command has thwarted a planned assassination and arrested 14 suspects in a statewide operation targeting violent crime, drug trafficking, and illegal migration.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that operatives intercepted two men, Muhammad Mohammed (40) and Mohammed Usman (35), on August 23 at Beji railway crossing in Bosso Local Government Area. A locally made pistol, a live cartridge, and ₦13,000 were recovered from them.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed they were hired by one Dogo of Beji to assassinate a man who married his ex-wife,” Abiodun revealed. He said the duo admitted they were promised ₦100,000 for the hit job and had already received ₦13,000 as transport money. The suspects are in police custody while efforts are ongoing to apprehend Dogo.
In another operation on August 26, the Command’s Anti-Thuggery Squad raided Soje A, Soje B, and Kpakungu areas of Minna, arresting nine suspected thugs aged between 14 and 27. Police recovered two stolen solar batteries, five knives, cutlasses, and a digger.
Similarly, operatives arrested 28-year-old Mustapha Saleh in Zumba, Shiroro LGA, for allegedly cultivating cannabis. Two bags of harvested cannabis were seized, though his accomplice escaped.
The Command also apprehended two Senegalese nationals on August 21 in Minna’s Fadikpe area for illegal entry. They were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service.
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Meanwhile, a woman identified as Hadiza Bala, also known as Mama Sabir, has been charged with attempted culpable homicide for allegedly pouring hot water on her neighbour during a dispute in Tunga, Minna, leaving the victim with severe burns.
SP Abiodun assured residents that the Command remains committed to aggressive operations to dismantle criminal networks and protect public safety in Niger State.
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