The Niger State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected armed robbers and rescued seven kidnapped victims in separate operations across the state within a week.
In one of the incidents, three suspects reportedly stormed a residence in Bosso Estate, Minna, using a toy gun and screwdrivers to carry out a robbery.
The assailants fled the scene with a white Toyota Camry.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest of the suspects—Umar Mukhtar (25), Ahmed (30), both of Okada Road, Minna, and Mohammed Abba (25) of Tafa, Kaduna State.
They were apprehended at Dikko Junction in Suleja Local Government Area while attempting to move the stolen vehicle.
According to the police, Mukhtar confessed that on May 3, he and an accomplice, Shuaibu, were led by one Mustapha of Angwan-Kaje, Minna, to the robbery site.
Mustapha was reportedly armed with a toy gun, while the others used screwdrivers.
When their demand for cash failed, they hijacked the victim’s vehicle as his wife arrived home.
The police stated that the suspects planned to transport the vehicle to Kaduna, but were intercepted.
A fourth suspect, Mohammed, who allegedly coordinated the escape route from Dikko, is currently on the run and being pursued by investigators.
In a separate operation on May 1, seven more robbery suspects were arrested at APC Quarters in Suleja.
Officers from ‘B’ Division responded swiftly to the crime scene, apprehending one suspect, 16-year-old Mubarak Mohammed.
Further investigation led to the arrest of six additional suspects from the 13-member gang. They include Ibrahim Mohammed (20), identified as the gang leader, Abdullahi Yakubu (18), Mohammed Abubakar (18), Nasiru Musa (17), Shamsudeen Musa (18), and Ahmed Ali—all residents of the Galadima area in Abuja.
The police have assured the public that investigations are ongoing and efforts are being intensified to apprehend the remaining suspects and dismantle the criminal networks operating in the state.