DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Armed gang, two female accomplices nabbed for murder, robbery in Niger

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Niger State Police have arrested eight suspects, including two women, for involvement in murder and robbery.
  • The syndicate specialized in robbing victims of motorcycles and other valuables in Suleja and its environs, with proceeds transacted in Abuja, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
  • The arrest followed a distress call about a robbery, leading to a pursuit and the apprehension of one suspect who then implicated others.

Authorities in Niger State have apprehended a criminal syndicate responsible for murder and robbery, arresting eight individuals including two women. The group operated in Suleja, Niger State, and trafficked their illicit gains through Abuja, Kaduna, and Katsina states.

On 10th June, 2026 at about 3.40am, a distress call was received from Rafin-Chinaka area of Maje, and the Police patrol team attached to Maje Div moved to the scene and discovered that a victim was robbed of a Jincheng motorcycle.

— Wasiu AbiodunNiger State Police Command spokesperson detailing the initial distress call that led to the arrests.

The operation began after police received a distress call from the Rafin-Chinaka area of Maje. A patrol team from the Maje Police Division responded and discovered a victim had been robbed of a motorcycle. As the suspects attempted to flee, they encountered the patrol team, which initiated a pursuit.

One suspect, James Bitrus, was apprehended with the stolen motorcycle. During interrogation, Bitrus identified three other syndicate members who specialized in robbing victims of motorcycles and other valuables within Suleja, Kwamba, and surrounding areas. This confession led to the arrest of eight additional suspects in connection with the crimes.

Having robbed the victim of the motorcycle, the suspects were sighted trying to escape through Zuba axis, and they were pursued by the Police team and one of them named Bitrus James was arrested with the motorcycle.

— Wasiu AbiodunNiger State Police Command spokesperson describing the pursuit and initial arrest.

The arrested individuals include Aminu Ibrahim, 25, from Jabi, Abuja; Gali Ibrahim Abubakar of Kaduna Road; Ibrahim Idris, also known as Nepa, of Kad Road; Samaila Nasiru, 20, from Jabi, Abuja; Mohammed Sani, 41, of Kad Road; Dorcas Thomas, 32, of Durumi; Rejoice Samaila, 28, of Durumi; and Musa Lawal, 30, of Sabon-Wuse.

In the course of investigation, the suspect mentioned one Aminu and two others as members of a syndicate who specialised in robbing victims of motorcycles and other valuables within Suleja, Kwamba and its environs.

— Wasiu AbiodunNiger State Police Command spokesperson explaining how the investigation led to identifying more suspects.

Preliminary investigations indicate that Bitrus James, Aminu Ibrahim, Gali Abubakar, Ibrahim Idris, and two others still at large are members of an armed robbery syndicate that has been terrorizing the Suleja area. Bitrus and Aminu have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the armed robbery.

Based on the suspect’s confession, eight other suspects were arrested in connection with the crime, and they are: Aminu Ibrahim 25yrs of Jabi, Abuja, Gali Ibrahim Abubakar of Kaduna road, brahim Idris a.k.a Nepa of Kad road and Samaila Nasiru 20yrs of Jabi, Abuja

— Wasiu AbiodunNiger State Police Command spokesperson listing some of the arrested suspects.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog