Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Niger State Police Command has delivered a significant blow to organised crime with the rescue of nine children and an abducted infant, alongside the arrest of 71 suspects, in a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted throughout July 2026. The command also recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, 15 magazines, and 330 rounds of live ammunition, marking one of the most substantial security breakthroughs in the region this year. Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Minna on Saturday, August 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, paraded the suspects and exhibits, attributing the successes to credible intelligence provided by members of the public and the professionalism of his officers.
The most significant breakthrough was the dismantling of a notorious kidnapping syndicate that had been terrorising communities across Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory. The operation stemmed from investigations into a series of abductions reported in Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka, and communities along the Kaduna Road corridor. The alleged kingpin of the gang, Samaila Ilya, also known as Yakumujuri or Maikujuri, was arrested on July 10, 2026, near the Kpakungu Roundabout in Minna. 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 addition to the kidnap ring, the police uncovered an identity document forgery syndicate with the arrest of 42-year-old Mohammed Aliyu Buba in Munya and Wushishi local government areas. A search of the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of 105 fake National Identification Number (NIN) cards and 189 fake Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). According to CP Elleman, the suspect admitted producing forged identity documents for over 1,000 people, charging N2,000 for each fake NIN card and N1,000 for each fake PVC, with proceeds estimated at more than N3 million.
Beyond the arrests and weapon seizures, the command rescued nine children and one abducted infant during the period under review. Recovered items included 17 goats, four cows, three motorcycles, and two vehicles suspected to be linked to criminal activities. Other exhibits recovered by the command were three cartons of tramadol, two bags of cannabis, 16 cutlasses, three locally fabricated plastic pistols, Point of Sale (POS) machines, ATM cards, mobile phones, face masks, assorted clothing, and cash exceeding N352,000. The police also recorded arrests in connection with an armed robbery attack near Kakaki village in the Bangi axis, while several suspects linked to violent clashes in parts of the state were taken into custody and are assisting investigators.
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 stressed that the achievements reflected the dedication, professionalism, and resilience of officers and men of the command, supported by credible intelligence and cooperation from members of the public. He urged residents to continue providing timely and actionable information that would assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal elements to build a safer and more secure Niger State. The successful operation has dealt a significant blow to organised crime in the state and sent a clear warning that the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with those who choose to terrorise innocent citizens.
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