The Niger State Police Command has arrested 27 suspected hoodlums during coordinated raids across parts of Suleja ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
The operation, carried out by police operatives on Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and noon, targeted criminal hideouts and blackspots in the Kantoma area, Babangida Market, and the Panteka area popularly known as “Jungle.”
According to the command, the raids were part of efforts to ensure a peaceful festive period and curb activities of suspected thugs and other criminal elements within the metropolis.
Items recovered from the suspects included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, fake identity cards, clubs locally known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, axes, scissors, knives, and a bag containing substances suspected to be cannabis.
Confirming the arrests on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said several of the suspects were arrested at the Panteka area.
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Those arrested include Haruna Idris, Imrana Abdullahi, Mohammed Isah, and Yusuf Surajo, all from Niger State. Others include Jibrin Shehu, Ahmad Samaila, and Jamilu Idris from Katsina State.
Abiodun added that more suspects from Kano, Yobe, and Kaduna states were also apprehended during the operation.
He stated that some of the suspects were allegedly found in possession of suspected illicit substances and dangerous weapons.
“The suspects are currently under investigation and interrogation to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities and possible accomplices,” the police spokesman said.
He added that the suspects would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
The command assured residents that similar raids would continue beyond the festive period to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain public safety.
Abiodun also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities to security agencies for prompt action.
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