Eid-el-Kabir: Police arrest 27 suspected hoodlums in Niger
The Nigeria Police Force in Niger State has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums from Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe and Niger states in a bid to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The suspects were arrested during raids carried out by operatives of the command within the Suleja metropolis at identified criminal hideouts and blackspots believed to harbour thugs and other suspected miscreants.
The operation, conducted on Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., covered Kantoma area, Babangida Market and Panteka, also known as “Jungle.”
Police said several dangerous weapons and suspected illicit substances were recovered during the raids.
Recovered items included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, fake identity cards, 10 clubs locally known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, a curved long weapon known as “garrio,” two axes, scissors, knives and a bag containing suspected cannabis.
The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Abiodun said Haruna Idris, 20; Imrana Abdullahi, 20; Mohammed Isah, 27; and Yusuf Surajo, 22, all from Niger State, were arrested at the Panteka area known as “Jungle.”
Others arrested include Jibrin Shehu, 26; Ahmad Samaila, 22; and Jamilu Idris, 23, all from Katsina State.
He added that Auwal Ibrahim, 28; Mohammed Salisu, 20; Murtala Mohammed, 28; Abdulshakur Mohammed, 28; Jibril Abubakar, 30; Hamisu Abdullahi, 27; Hassan Ismail, 29; Mukhtar Adam, 38; Adamu Ibrahim, 27; Abba Ibrahim, 22; Mutawakil Usman, 27; Ibrahim Adam, 26; Aliyu Jibrin, 28; Mohammed Bashir, 30; and Zuhairu Ahmed, 30, all from Kano State, alongside Salisu Dauda, 22, from Yobe State, were also arrested.
“Similarly, Auwal Isah, 28, of Kaduna State residing along Madalla Road; Suleiman Abubakar, 28, of Kano State residing around Suleja Club; and Bala Musa, 25, of Kano State, were arrested around Kantoma area, while Ibrahim Shuaibu, 22, of Kano State, was arrested at Babangida Market, all in possession of suspected cannabis and other illicit substances,” Abiodun stated.
According to him, all the suspects are in custody and undergoing investigation to determine their involvement in criminal activities and identify possible accomplices.
He added that the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.
Abiodun assured residents that raids on criminal hideouts and blackspots would continue beyond the festive period to maintain public peace and security.
“The Police Command assures that raid operations of identified hideouts and blackspots shall be sustained to ensure a peaceful festivity and beyond, while urging members of the public to report any suspicious situation to the Police for immediate intervention,” he said.