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Six arrested for arms dealing, kidnapping in Niger

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The Niger State Police Command says it has arrested six suspects for offences bordering on arms dealing, kidnapping, unlawful possession of ammunition and phone snatching, among others.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the suspects were arrested during multiple operations across the state.

According to him, police operatives, acting on credible intelligence that one Zuwaira Usman specialised in transporting ammunition for hoodlums, arrested the suspect on November 4, 2025.

He said the suspect confessed during interrogation that she met one Lawali in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State, in September 2025, where they exchanged phone numbers. In the course of their interaction, Lawali allegedly requested her to travel to Warri, Delta State, to collect a package for him.

“She claimed that Lawali gave her N20,000 as transport fare, after which she embarked on the journey. On getting to Abuja, she stated that Lawali spoke with the driver and informed him where she would be dropped off in Warri.

“Zuwaira further narrated that upon arrival at her destination, she met a man on a motorcycle who handed over a sack containing a flask with some items to be delivered to Lawali. She said the man, later identified as Ahmed, also gave her an additional N30,000 for her return journey to Kaduna.

“She took the item back to Abuja and then to Kaduna State, where she delivered the sack to Lawali in Birnin-Gwari. It was later discovered that the flask contained a total of 2,500 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.

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“Further reports indicated that Ahmed was later intercepted and arrested in Delta State, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Lawali as investigations continue,” the PPRO said.

Abiodun added that on November 27, operatives also arrested one Aminu Ahmed for allegedly kidnapping three children in Kontagora and collecting ransom totalling over N2m.

He noted that the suspect confessed to abducting a three-year-old child and collecting N1.4m as ransom before releasing him. He was also said to have admitted to kidnapping a four-year-old boy and another three-year-old child within Kontagora, from whom a combined ransom of N850,000 was collected before their release.

“He further claimed that he was defrauded of over N1.8m in proceeds of crime during a mining investment business. The suspect is under further investigation,” Abiodun added.

The PPRO further disclosed that another operation on November 30 led to the arrest of one Mohammed Mahmud of the Zuba area, who was found in possession of a locally fabricated pistol loaded with one cartridge during a stop-and-search operation.

In another operation, Abiodun said, “On December 10, 2025, at about 4:30 p.m., Operation Flush police patrol team attached to Chanchaga Division arrested two suspects—Hassan Abdullahi, 19, of the Mandela area, and Khalifa Bashir, 21, of Bosso.

“The suspects were intercepted in a tricycle at the Old City Gate, and during a search, three Android phones suspected of having been stolen were recovered from them. During interrogation, they confessed to snatching the handsets from passengers in the tricycle.”

He added that on December 12, the command received a report about suspected armed robbers loitering around a mountain close to Zuma Rock.

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This, Abiodun stated, prompted immediate mobilisation to the area, where two improvised guns wrapped with black Sellotape were recovered.

Abiodun further stated that on the same date, two suspected armed robbers, Adamu Usman and Umar Mohammed Bello, were arrested in the Kagarko area in connection with an armed robbery incident reported on November 1.

“In the course of the investigation, one of the stolen phones was tracked to the suspects in Kagarko. During interrogation, they confessed to the crime and mentioned other members of the gang.

“The suspects are currently aiding police investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.

“One Zakariyau Mohammed of the Jubilee area, Suleja, was also arrested on December 11, 2025, for conspiracy and theft of household items.

“The suspect allegedly conspired with one Aminu Na’wushe to steal items, including a generator, laptop and other home electronics, from a residence along Kaduna Road. Police operatives swiftly arrested Zakariyau and recovered the items, while efforts to arrest Aminu have been intensified,” Abiodun stated.

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Crime

NAPTIP rescues 15 from suspected online traffickers in Nasarawa

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The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has rescued 15 persons, including foreign nationals, after uncovering a suspected human trafficking syndicate allegedly operating under the guise of an online marketing company in Nasarawa State.

The rescue followed an operation by the agency in Keffi and Karu local government areas based on credible intelligence about suspicious activities linked to fraudulent online marketing operations.

NAPTIP disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday via its X handle.

It said the operation was conducted on May 7, 2026, by officers of its Investigation Department and the Intelligence and International Cooperation Unit.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that fifteen (15) persons comprising four (4) female victims and eleven (11) male victims were found at the location. Among the male victims, three (3) were identified as Nigerians, while others are foreign nationals.

“Findings indicate that the suspects allegedly operated under the guise of an online marketing company to recruit and harbour unsuspecting persons in conditions suspected to be connected to human trafficking, cyber-related exploitation, and other organised criminal activities,” the statement read.

NAPTIP described the development as a serious security and humanitarian concern, citing the deceptive recruitment methods allegedly used by the traffickers and the vulnerability of victims to exploitation.

It said investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network and arrest other collaborators linked to the syndicate.

The agency also reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking and urged members of the public to report suspicious recruitment activities and movements within their communities to relevant authorities.

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Police nab two suspected vandals at accident scene in Akwa Ibom 

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Officers of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have apprehended suspected vandals in connection with the looting and theft of items from a truck involved in an accident along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Monday said the suspects were arrested on Sunday, while vandalising and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at the Afaha community located along the Highway.

According to the statement, the operatives, after credible intelligence, mobilised to the scene and arrested one Adamu Hamza, aged 19, and a native of Maiduguri, Borno State, who was found in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres.

In a follow-up operation, they also arrested the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.

The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the arrest of suspected vandals involved in the looting and theft of items from an accidented truck along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“On 10th May, 2026, at about 22:00 hours, Operatives of the Command acted swiftly on credible intelligence received through a tricycle operator regarding the activities of criminal elements vandalizing and stealing from a truck that had fallen into a valley at Afaha along the Calabar–Itu Highway.

“Acting promptly on the information, Police operatives mobilized to the scene and successfully arrested one Adamu Hamza ‘M’, aged 19, a native of Maiduguri, in possession of four suspected stolen truck tyres, with the value yet to be ascertained.

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“Further investigation led to the arrest of the tricycle operator, one Anthony James, who was allegedly used to convey the stolen items from the scene.”

DSP John, who disclosed that the suspects are currently in Police custody, noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices connected to the criminal act.

She stated that the commissioner of police in the state, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has warned all criminal elements to desist from looting accident scenes, and has also reiterated the command’s commitment to strengthening its surveillance and deploying intelligence-driven policing strategies to safeguard lives and property across the state.

She called on members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, urging them to remain law-abiding and security-conscious at all times.

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Crime

One injured, residents flee as gunmen attack Rivers security outfit

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Gunmen have opened fire on the head office of a local security outfit, codenamed OSPAC, at Erema Street in Omoku town, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, injuring one officer. OSPAC is the acronym for Onelga Security and Peace Advisory Committee.

It was gathered that the incident which occurred at about 8:10pm on Saturday night caused pandemonium as residents and passersby scampered for safety.

Though the reason for the attack could not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the assailants rode on two cars, one of which was an ash-coloured Lexus Jeep.

Speaking to newsmen on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer of the security outfit in Rivers State, Godknows Nkem, said its office is a place where people come to lodge various complaints.

Nkem, however, expressed surprise how the gunmen drove into the office and started shooting indiscriminately, leaving one of its personnel with an ankle injury.

He stated, “At that hour of the day, the gunmen drove in and started shooting sporadically. Nobody died, but one of our personnel sustained a bullet injury on his ankle. Our station guards later repelled the attack.

“The fear of OSPAC is the beginning of wisdom in the entire Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA and Rivers State at large. Just that for the past eight months we came on board, our welfare has not been catered for. We have been struggling to survive.”

The state OSPAC image maker however urged residents of ONELGA to be law abiding and go about their normal activities without fear and assured that the perpetrators will be fished out.

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When contacted on Sunday afternoon, spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, confirmed the attack on the vigilante office, saying investigation is ongoing.

Agabe stated, “I can confirm the incident. No arrest for now because the incident happened late in the night, but investigation is ongoing to unmask the identities of the perpetrators with a view to bringing them to justice.”

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