The Niger Police Command has detained two suspects for allegedly conspiring to extort thirty million Naira from a victim under threat of kidnapping. In a separate operation, two additional suspects were apprehended for planning to rustle cattle, with locally fabricated weapons recovered during the arrest.

Kidnapping Threat and Extortion Attempt

According to a statement by the command's Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodunn, the Maje Police Division received a report on May 26 at approximately 7 pm regarding an extortion scheme. The suspects—an 18-year-old from Kuki village, Dutsenma, Katsina State, and his 25-year-old accomplice from Furakirke, Sokoto State—allegedly threatened one Samaila, demanding he pay thirty million Naira or face kidnapping.

Both suspects, who reside in Maje, were tracked down by police personnel using technical intelligence. Following their arrest, authorities recovered a cell phone and the SIM card used to make the threatening calls. The case remains under investigation.

Weapons Seizure in Cattle Rustling Plot

In a related operation on May 29 at approximately 6:30 pm, the Gawu-Babangida Division received information about two suspects from Goi village, near Gwagwalada FCT, who were allegedly planning to rustle their neighbor's cattle.

Police operatives mobilized immediately and tracked one suspect to Izom village, where he was apprehended. During the subsequent investigation, a second suspect identified as Umar was arrested in Goi village. The police recovered three locally fabricated revolver guns and two live cartridges from his possession.

According to the police statement, the suspect claimed he purchased the weapons from Zaria, Kaduna State, for vigilante services. Both cases highlight the Niger Police Command's ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities in the state.