CRIME
Niger Police Command Record Harvest of Arrest in May as 12 Car Snatching Syndicate and Rescue 7 Kidnapped Victims

From Dan Amasingha, Minna
In continuation of its onslaught against criminals in Niger State, the Niger State Police Command has arrested another set of Twelve suspected car snatching syndicate and rescued Seven kidnapped victims.
The State Command public Relations officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun in a crime bulletin made available to newsmen on Tuesday said the Command is determined to dismantle criminal network in the State.
” in continuation of our effort to decimate crime and criminality in the State, the following breakthroughs were recently recorded “
He disclosed that, as on Sunday, the 4th of May, 2025 at about 12.
30am, Police operatives attached to Tafa Div arrested three suspects, namely;“Umar Mukhtar 25yrs of Okada Road, Minna
-Shuaibu Ahmed 30yrs of the same address, and
Mohammed Ibrahim Abba 25yrs of Tafa, Kaduna State”
According to him, the suspects were arrested at Dikko junction with a white Toyota Camry vehicle suspected to have been stolen, and during interrogation, Mukhtar confessed that on 3rd May, 2025 at about 8pm, one Mustapha of Angwan-Kaje area of Minna led him and Shuaibu to a residence in Bosso Estate for robbery.
He narrated that Mustapha was armed with a toy gun, while he and Shuaibu used screwdrivers as weapons. He said further that they requested for money but as there was no money, the wife of the victim drove in within the period of the robbery incident, and the vehicle with Reg. No KNT 785 SN was snatched.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that Mukhtar and Shuaibu drove the vehicle away, while Mustapha stayed back and locked the victims in the toilet to ensure that nobody raised an alarm.
” The said Mustapha linked Mukhtar and Shuaibu to Mohammed Abba at Dikko junction who was contacted to take them to Kaduna to dispose the vehicle”
The State Polic however recovered the vehicle and the suspects are under investigation, and effort to arrest Mustapha who is presently at large is ongoing.
Similarly, On 3rd May, 2025 at approximately 2.30pm, acting on credible information, Police operatives attached to Maje Div arrested two suspects who specialised in theft of tricycles, the suspects namely Abdulaziz Salisu 19yrs of Madalla, Suleja,
Abubakar Mohammed of Chachi village, Sabon-Wuse.
SP Wasiu Abiodun said Investigation revealed that on 2nd May, 2025 at about 5am, the said Abdulaziz went to a mosque at Dakwa with the pretence to observe morning prayers, and when the prayers commenced, he ran out of the mosque and made away with a tricycle with Reg. No. GUS 16 VC.
Police operatives on stop and search at Maje Bridge intercepted the tricycle suspected to have been stolen, and during interrogation, he confessed that he stole the tricycle and that he was taken it to Abubakar Mohammed who would facilitate the movement of the tricycle to Katsina State to the buyer.
Meanwhile, on the 1st May, 2025 at about 6pm, information was received that there was a robbery incident at APC Quarters, Suleja where victims were robbed of their handsets and other valuables
” Consequently, Police operatives of ‘B’ Div Suleja were led to the scene by the DPO and one Mubarak Mohammed 16yrs was pursued and arrested.
In the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to taking part in the armed robbery and that there were thirteen of them as a syndicate. He led operatives to the arrest of others, who are; Ibrahim Mohammed 20yrs of Guaraka, the gang leader, Abdullahi Yakubu 18yrs,Mohammed Abubakar 18yrs,Nasiru Musa 17yrs, Shamsudeen Musa 18yrs
-Ahmed Ali, all of Galadima area of FCT, Abuja
The investigation led to the recovery of six cutlasses, three torch lights, charms, fourteen handsets, and four bags from their hideout under a mango tree along Abuja-Kaduna Express Road. All suspects are under investigation and they will soon be transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and prosecution accordingly.
However on a cheering note, On 3rd May, 2025 at about 7am, a group of suspected kidnappers invaded Tungan-Boka and Masaha villages of Mashegu LGA and kidnapped seven persons. Unfortunately, one Garba Mohammed was shot dead during the attack.
However, at about 5pm of same date, a team of Policemen led by the DPO with vigilante members mobilised for a rescue operation, and trailed the suspected kidnappers to a forest within Tungan-Boka village where the hoodlums were engaged in a gun duel.
As a result of this, the seven kidnapped persons were rescued unhurt as the hoodlums escaped from the scene. Effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing miscreants.
CRIME
Woman, 31, Docked Over Alleged Theft of iPhone Worth N500,000

A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.
30 p. m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
A 31-year-old woman, Opeyemi Bakare, on Tuesday appeared before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing an iPhone valued at N500,000.
Bakare, of undisclosed address, was charged with two counts of conspiracy and stealing .
The prosecutor, Insp Iyabo Oladoyin, told the court that the defendant and others at large conspired and committed the offences on May 2 at 3.30 p.m. in the Dugbe area of Ibadan.
According to Oladoyin, the defendant stole an iPhone 12 valued at N505,000, belonging to the complainant, Mr Oluseyi Oba.
The prosecutor said the phone was stolen in Dugbe Market and was tracked to the defendant.
She said the offences contravened Sections 390 (9) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Magistrate, Mrs T.G. Daodu, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
Daodu thereafter adjourned the case until July 8 for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Prostitute Docked for Allegedly Stabbing Her Colleague

A 40 – year old prostitute, Adeosun Adepeju was on Tuesday arraigned before an Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stabbing her colleague in the stomach during work period.
Adepeju of undisclosed address was standing trial on a count charge bordering on assault.
She pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Prosecuting Counsel, Cpl.
Helen Ojo told the court that Adepeju on May 21, at about 12:30 a.m., at Ring road area, Ibadan, stabbed her colleague, Stella Mago with scissors in her stomach.Ojo said that the stabbing caused the complainant bodily harm.
She added that the offence contravened Section 335 of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State 2000.
The Magistrate, Mrs M. M. Olagbenro admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N300, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
Olagbenro adjourned the matter until May 30, for hearing. (NAN)
CRIME
Man, 56, Bags Life Jail Term for Defiling His Stepdaughter

A High Court sitting in Ado-EKiti on Monday sentenced one Jayeoba Oluwafemi, 56, to life imprison for defiling his 14 year old stepdaughter.
The 56 year old convict was arraigned before Justice Adekunle Adeleye on Dec. 4, 2020 on one count charge of defilement.
The charge reads that the defendant on Oct.
26, 2020 at Ado Ekiti defiled a fourteen year old girl (names withheld), which is contrary to Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Right Law, Cap. C7, Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.The victim’s testimony before the Court said, “my mother got married to the defendant, we were not living together but he used to sleep in our house especially when my mother was not at home or travelled.“ On Oct. 26, 2020, my mother travelled to Lagos and the defendant slept in our house, at midnight he forcefully had sex with me and thereafter, blood was gushing out of my virgina. I called my mother the following morning to inform her but the defendant denied.“ He continued this act anytime my mother was not around, I used to tell my mother on her arrival but she did nothing about it.When he noticed that I was telling my mother about his continuous sexual activity with me, he started threatening me.
“ One day, he wanted to beat me and I ran out of the house, I met one woman on the road, I told her what happened and she directed me to the governor’s office to lodge official complain which led to his arrest,” she concluded.
To prove his case, the Prosecutor, Julius Ajibare called six witnesses and tendered the defendant’s statement and medical report as exhibits.
The defendant was also represented by his defense counsel, Oladele Adedeji who called one witness.
In his judgment, Justice Adekunle Adeleye said, “ I am of the humble view that the sexual intercourse sessions were on several occasions, it was not a one off affair.
“ And upon careful analysis of the entire circumstance of this case, the change in story or outright denial by the defendant is an afterthought.
“ The prosecution has established the offence of defilement against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt. He is accordingly found guilty as charged and hereby sentenced to life imprison as provided for under the provisions of Section 31 (2) of the Child’s Rights Law, Cap. C7, Law of Ekiti State, 2012. (NAN)