Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Niger State Police Command has delivered a significant blow to organised crime with the dismantling of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that had terrorised communities across the state and the Federal Capital Territory. The operation, which culminated in the arrest of five suspects and the recovery of 10 AK-47 rifles, represents one of the most substantial security breakthroughs in the region this year. The command also disclosed that a total of 71 suspects were arrested throughout July for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, homicide, fraud, and drug-related crimes, with the syndicate's neutralisation standing out as the crown jewel of the month-long offensive.
Speaking at a press briefing in Minna, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, detailed the intelligence-driven operations that led to the breakthrough. The police had been monitoring armed gangs operating around Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka, and communities along the Kaduna Road corridor following reports of incessant kidnappings. The investigation zeroed in on a 45-year-old suspect, Samaila Ilya, also known as Yakumujuri or Maikujuri, who was identified as a key kingpin terrorising those areas as well as Kubwa and Bwari in the FCT.
The arrest of Samaila Ilya on July 10, 2026, near the Kpakungu Roundabout in Minna was the turning point. He had previously escaped during a fierce gun battle with police operatives at his residence in Bwari, but technical intelligence eventually led to his capture. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to orchestrating several kidnapping operations in Gauraka, Kubwa, and Bwari, providing investigators with critical information that led to the discovery of hidden weapons dumps and the arrest of other gang members. He also revealed a harrowing detail about one of the gang's operations in Kubwa, where a woman and her son were kidnapped; despite the woman's pleas, a gang member identified as Yakubu, who is still at large, shot the son dead before the woman was released after a ransom was paid.
Following the arrest of the kingpin, the police extended their investigation to Sabon-Wuse, where some of the gang members were located at Bwari Hills. This led to another exchange of gunfire, and when the enclave was searched, one AK-49 rifle with five rounds of live ammunition was recovered. Further follow-up operations in Gauraka forest and Bwari uncovered additional weapons caches, yielding two AK-47 rifles buried in the forest and two more AK-49 rifles with 36 rounds in Bwari.
In a separate tactical and rescue mission in Gauraka, a team from the Violent Crime Response Unit successfully rescued three kidnapped victims and arrested five additional suspects. They were identified as Amadu Abdullahi, also known as Kachalla Baban-Tsoho; Adamu Abubakar; Mohammed Tasiu; Sani Shehu; and Bashir Aliyu, also known as Kachalla Mallam. The police confirmed that all suspects remain in custody while efforts continue to locate the remaining accomplices, including the fugitive Yakubu who is wanted for murder.
The command also intercepted a suspect, Zubairu Mohammed, in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area, who was allegedly transporting five AK-47 magazines and 185 rounds of live ammunition concealed inside a bag of cement. Investigators believe the ammunition was intended for delivery to another suspect currently being tracked by security operatives. In total, the police recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, and 330 rounds of live ammunition during the operations, along with a range of other exhibits, including three cartons of tramadol, two bags of cannabis, 16 cutlasses, three locally fabricated plastic pistols, and cash amounting to ₦352,000.
Beyond the arrests and weapon seizures, the command rescued nine children and an abducted infant, while also recovering 17 stolen goats, four cows, three motorcycles, and two vehicles suspected to be linked to criminal activities. The police also dismantled an identity document forgery syndicate with the arrest of 42-year-old Mohammed Aliyu Buba, who was found in possession of 105 fake National Identification Number cards and 189 fake Permanent Voter Cards.
CP Elleman reaffirmed the command's commitment to sustaining aggressive intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and improving security across the state. He urged members of the public to continue providing timely information to security agencies, describing the recent successes as a significant blow to organised crime in Niger State and a clear warning that the long arm of the law would eventually catch up with those who choose to terrorise innocent citizens.
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