Salah: Police raid Suleja blackspots, arrest 27 suspected criminals

The Nigeria Police Force in Niger State has arrested 27 suspected criminals during coordinated raids on identified blackspots and criminal hideouts in Suleja town ahead of the Salah festivities.

The operation was carried out by the Suleja Area Command in collaboration with the Tactical Support Team as part of efforts to strengthen security and maintain public peace during the festive period.

According to a statement issued in Minna by the Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the raids targeted notorious locations believed to harbour thugs and other criminal elements disturbing public peace in the area.

The operation, which lasted about five hours from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, covered Kantoma area, Babangida Market, and Panteka, popularly known as “Jungle.”

Abiodun said several dangerous weapons, suspected illicit substances, and stolen items were recovered from the suspects during the exercise.

Items recovered included 15 mobile phones, ATM cards, suspected fake identity cards, 10 clubs locally known as “gora,” cutlasses, swords, a curved long weapon known as “garrio,” two axes, scissors, knives, and a bag containing suspected cannabis.

Among those arrested at the Panteka “Jungle” area were Haruna Idris, 20; Imrana Halilu Abdullahi, 20; Mohammed Isah, 27; and Yusuf Surajo, 22, all from Niger State.

Others arrested included Jibrin Shehu, 26; Ahmad Samaila, 22; and Jamilu Idris, 23, all from Katsina State.

The police also arrested Auwal Ibrahim, 28; Mohammed Salisu, 20; Murtala Mohammed, 28; Abdulshakur Mohammed, 28; Jibril Abubakar, 30; Hamisu Abdullahi, 27; Hassan Ismail, 29; Mukhtar Adam, 38; Adamu Ibrahim, 27; Abba Ibrahim, 22; Mutawakil Usman, 27; Ibrahim Adam, 26; Aliyu Jibrin, 28; Mohammed Bashir, 30; and Zuhairu Ahmed, 30, all from Kano State, alongside Salisu Dauda, 22, from Yobe State.

Similarly, Auwal Isah, 28, from Kaduna State residing along Madalla Road; Suleiman Abubakar, 28, from Kano State residing around Suleja Club; and Bala Musa, 25, from Kano State, were arrested around the Kantoma area, while Ibrahim Shuaibu, 22, from Kano State, was arrested at Babangida Market.

Police said the suspects were found in possession of suspected cannabis and other illicit substances.

Abiodun disclosed that all suspects are currently in police custody undergoing further investigation and would subsequently be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.

The command added that the raids would continue beyond the festive season to ensure sustained peace and security across the state.

It also urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies for immediate intervention.

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