The Niger State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on organised crime, arresting multiple suspects linked to car theft, vandalism, and illegal possession of stolen property in coordinated operations across the state.
The breakthrough, which led to the recovery of stolen vehicles and electricity infrastructure materials, was disclosed on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun.
According to him, operatives acting on intelligence tracked and arrested two suspected members of a car theft syndicate operating between Kano and Niger states.
One of the suspects, 49-year-old Abdulfatai Abdulganiyu, was apprehended at a hotel along Mandela Road in Minna with a Honda CR-V believed to have been stolen from Kano.
Investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly transported the vehicle to Minna in search of a buyer.
Police subsequently arrested a second suspect, 28-year-old Nura Umar, in Bida, who was identified as a prospective buyer.
He was reportedly found with another vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, allegedly purchased for over one million naira.
Abiodun said preliminary findings indicated a network of collaborators involved in stealing and reselling vehicles across state lines, adding that investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate.
In a related operation in Kontagora, police arrested a suspect, Yazidu Dalhatu, over alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure, including theft of transformer oil.
Two other suspects linked to the crime are currently at large, while two receivers of stolen components have been identified and are under investigation.
The command also intercepted a vehicle along the Kaduna Abuja highway conveying vandalised armoured cables suspected to belong to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, and tools used in the operation were recovered.
Police authorities confirmed that all suspects are in custody and will be charged upon completion of investigations.
Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, reaffirmed the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and safeguard lives and property across the state.