…“Police operatives immediately mobilised and tracked the suspects along the Jebba–Mokwa road.
NIGER, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Niger State Police Command has apprehended four suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 42 sheep in separate operations carried out across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, revealed this in a statement made available on Sunday, noting that the arrests were based on credible intelligence.
According to him, operatives of the Crack Squad intercepted the suspects on February 24 at about 6pm. The arrested individuals were identified as 23-year-old Abubakar Musa of Maito village via Lemu; 20-year-old Muhammed Ibeto of Kara via Jebba; 20-year-old Bello Saidu of Kara via Jebba; and 20-year-old Abubakar Alhaji, also of Kara via Jebba.
Abiodun explained that the arrests followed a tip-off indicating that the suspects were sighted around Raba forest via Mokwa with animals believed to have been rustled.
“Police operatives immediately mobilised and tracked the suspects along the Jebba–Mokwa road. Four members of the syndicate were apprehended, while others fled into the forest,” he said.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to stealing the sheep from Salihu village via Mokwa and mentioned other members of the gang still at large. Abiodun added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, while the 42 recovered sheep have since been returned to their rightful owner.
In a separate development, the command disclosed that it intercepted a Ford vehicle with registration number MNA 909 LD on February 23, 2026, at about 10pm at the City Gate area of Minna. The vehicle was allegedly conveying 10 bags of zircon monazite suspected to have been stolen.
“Upon interception, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled. Preliminary investigations suggest the items were stolen from an industrial company along Bida Road. Investigation is ongoing,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, the police also arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged theft of a motorcycle and an attempted homicide in Bida.
The incident reportedly occurred on February 19, 2026, at about 7:30pm, when two men, Ibrahim Ahmed Musa and Ndagi Mohammed Jibril, both residents of Area One, Bida hired a motorcycle from the Cool Spot area to Ndayako Primary School.
Abiodun stated that upon reaching the back of the school, the suspects forced the rider to stop. “One of the passengers, Ibrahim Ahmed Musa, struck the rider on the head with a pestle. The victim became dizzy and fell, while the suspects attempted to make away with the motorcycle,” he said.
The rider reportedly raised an alarm, drawing the attention of residents who pursued the suspects. Ibrahim Ahmed Musa was apprehended along with the motorcycle, while his accomplice, Ndagi Mohammed, escaped.
According to the police command, the arrested suspect is currently in custody at ‘A’ Division, Bida, as investigations continue, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplice.
