The Niger State Police Command has apprehended four suspects on charges of conspiracy, criminal intimidation, attempted kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms, according to a statement from Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun.
The arrests were made following intelligence reports received by the command in two separate incidents in late May.
Extortion Attempt Foiled
In the first case, on May 26, 2025, around 7 pm, the Maje Division received information about two suspects who had threatened a man named Samaila via phone calls, demanding N30 million to avoid being kidnapped.
The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Sheriff, 18, from Kuki village in Dutsenma, Katsina State, and Hamisu Dalhatu, 25, from Furakirke, Sokoto State, were both residing in Maje at the time of their arrest.
SP Abiodun revealed that the suspects were successfully tracked down through technical intelligence operations. Police recovered the phone and SIM card used to make the threatening calls.
Cattle Rustling Plot Uncovered
In a separate incident on May 29, 2025, at approximately 6:30 pm, the Gawu-Babangida Division received information about two men allegedly planning to rustle cattle from their neighbor.
The suspects, Bello Lawal and Isah Umar, both from Goi village near Gwagwalada in the Federal Capital Territory, were subsequently arrested after police operatives mobilized and tracked Bello to Izom village.
"In the course of investigation, Isah was also arrested at Goi village with three locally fabricated revolver guns and two live cartridges," the police spokesperson stated.
According to SP Abiodun, Bello claimed he purchased the guns from Zaria, Kaduna State, for vigilante services.
The police confirmed that both cases are currently under investigation.
