The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 27 suspected criminals from Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, and Niger states in a crackdown aimed at ensuring a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration across the state.
Police operatives carried out coordinated raids on known criminal hideouts and flashpoints within the Suleja metropolis believed to be occupied by thugs and other individuals linked to activities threatening public safety.
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The operation, which took place on Sunday between 8:30 a.m. and noon, targeted areas including Kantoma, Babangida Market, and Panteka, commonly referred to as “Jungle.”
During the raids, security personnel recovered several dangerous weapons and substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
Items seized included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, counterfeit identification cards, 10 locally made clubs known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, a curved weapon popularly called “garrio,” two axes, scissors, knives, and a bag containing suspected cannabis.
Spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrests in a statement released on Wednesday.
According to him, suspects apprehended at the Panteka area, also known as “Jungle,” included Haruna Idris, 20; Imrana Abdullahi, 20; Mohammed Isah, 27; and Yusuf Surajo, 22, all indigenes of Niger State.
Others arrested were Jibrin Shehu, 26; Ahmad Samaila, 22; and Jamilu Idris, 23, all from Katsina State.
Abiodun further disclosed 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 taken into custody.
He explained that Auwal Isah, 28, from Kaduna State and residing along Madalla Road; Suleiman Abubakar, 28, from Kano State residing near Suleja Club; and Bala Musa, 25, also from Kano State, were arrested around the Kantoma area. Ibrahim Shuaibu, 22, from Kano State, was equally apprehended at Babangida Market.
The police spokesperson noted that some of the suspects were found with suspected cannabis and other prohibited substances.
He stated that all suspects remain in police custody and are currently undergoing interrogation and investigation to determine their involvement in criminal activities as well as identify other accomplices.
According to Abiodun, the suspects will subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
He reassured residents that the command would sustain raids on identified blackspots and criminal hideouts even after the festive period to maintain law and order.
“The Police Command assures residents that operations against criminal hideouts and blackspots will continue during and after the festivities to guarantee public safety. Members of the public are encouraged to promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the police,” he said.
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