The Niger State Police Command has arrested five suspects over separate criminal incidents involving attempted truck robbery, livestock theft, phone snatching and the vandalism of electricity transformer components.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna, saying the arrests were made between October 27 and November 3.
He said the operation also led to the recovery of two sheep, a stolen mobile phone and tools allegedly used to break into trucks.
According to him, operatives attached to Maje Division intercepted a Sharon vehicle along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway at about 4:15 am on November 3.
The vehicle was allegedly being used by Alkasim Mohammed, from Mararaba in Nasarawa State, and three accomplices to break into trucks transporting goods along major highways.
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The suspects reportedly attempted to force open a truck carrying pharmaceutical products from Onitsha to Kano by tampering with its padlock and security seals using chisels.
While three accomplices escaped into a nearby bush, Mohammed was arrested. Police recovered a jackknife, pliers, hammer and chisels from the vehicle.
In another incident in Suleja, officers arrested 34-year-old Suleiman Ibrahim after he was allegedly caught transporting two stolen white sheep towards Maje Market.
The suspect was reportedly rescued from an angry mob attempting to lynch him before being taken into police custody.
Investigations later led to the arrest of 50-year-old Zaiyanu Adamu, who was allegedly involved in receiving stolen livestock, after the sheep’s owner identified the animals.
Police also arrested 31-year-old Ishaq Abubakar for allegedly stealing a mobile phone from a 12-year-old boy in the Kwamba Mayor area on November 3.
The stolen handset was reportedly recovered from his underwear after he was found hiding in a nearby bush.
In a separate case, Ibrahim Gada was arrested over the alleged theft of electricity transformer components belonging to a housing estate. The incident was reported on October 28, and some recovered items were presented as exhibits.
The police said the five suspects remained in custody for investigation, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the three fleeing suspects involved in the attempted truck robbery.
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