Niger police arrest 12 suspects for murder, kidnapping

Niger State police have arrested 12 suspects in separate cases involving alleged murder, kidnapping and armed robbery, including a group accused of operating under the cover of a vigilante organisation.

The arrests followed the reported stabbing death of 35-year-old Nafiu Mohammed in the Sabon-Titi area of Maitumbi, Minna. Police said Mohammed was taken to a hospital but was pronounced dead. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the case: Emmanuel Moses, Lukman Mohammed, Abdullahi Mohammed, Sani Ibrahim, Abdullahi Yusuf, also known as Challo, and Adamu Isyaku. Police said Ibrahim was arrested with a long cutlass.

During questioning, the suspects allegedly named Muhammad Sani as a member of the gang linked to Mohammed’s death. Police said Sani remained at large and that officers were conducting a manhunt for him.

In a separate case, police arrested Alhassan Tanko, Basiru Shaibu and Ishaya Umar in Beri, Mariga Local Government Area. Authorities said the suspects belonged to a seven-member syndicate that posed as the Yansakai vigilante group to carry out kidnappings and armed robberies. Police said the suspects told investigators that the group had killed at least three people during its operations and stolen their motorcycles, which were sold to a person identified as Awalu of Beri.

A search of the suspects’ homes led to the recovery of a pump-action rifle. Niger State police spokesperson Abiodun confirmed the arrests and said efforts continued to apprehend fleeing members of the alleged criminal groups.

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On 25th August, 2026, at about 6.45pm, a report was received at Maitumbi Division that one Nafiu Mohammed 35 years of Sabon-Titi area of Maitumbi was attacked and stabbed to death.