By Mercy Akossun
The Niger State Police Command has arrested at least 16 suspects in a series of operations targeting illegal mining, fraud, self-kidnap and robbery across the state.
Police spokesman SP Wasiu Abiodun said six men were picked up on September 13 at an illegal mining site in Dangado village, Paikoro LGA. The suspects are Aliyu Rabiu (19), Samaila Ibrahim (31), Sadiku Auwal (23), Ibrahim Babangida (29), Musa Adamu (30) and Sani Hassan (28), all from Dangado village. Items recovered at the site included three water pump engines, diggers, shovels, knives, cutlasses and illicit drugs.
In a separate case, nine suspects were arrested in Minna over a suspected self-kidnap and fraudulent Ponzi scheme. The police named the prime suspect as Suleiman Dauda, who was first arrested on September 3. Based on his confession, eight others were apprehended at Mandela area of Minna. Investigators recovered 21 SIM cards and 29 registration slips, with Suleiman admitting that the handset used to demand a ₦7 million ransom was supplied by him.
Also in Minna, police arrested Ibrahim Abdullahi of Kubwa, Abuja, for allegedly impersonating a soldier and attempting to snatch a motorcycle. He was rescued from a mob at City Gate after his victims raised alarm.
Separately, in Bangi town, 25-year-old Augustine Mathew was arrested for allegedly stealing a Daylong motorcycle from a residence. Police say he has confessed to the crime and has been charged to court.
The Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, vowed that the command would sustain its clampdown on criminals, warning that illegal mining and other crimes will not be tolerated in Niger State.
