Police nab suspects over cultism, criminal conspiracy in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has arrested several suspects linked to cultism, theft, criminal conspiracy, possession of arms and ammunition, among other crimes.

In a statement signed by Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the Command disclosed that on April 22, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., operatives attached to ‘B’ Division, Bida, arrested one Agada Isaac, alias “Tee-light,” 30, at a lodge near the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, during a routine patrol.

According to the statement, the suspect was sighted on a motorcycle approaching a temporary Police checkpoint in Bida. On noticing the operatives, he alighted and fled, raising suspicion. He was subsequently chased and apprehended. A search conducted on him led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol.

Further search at his residence yielded a military camouflage cap, knicker, and jacket. During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to being a member of a cult group known as “Vikings.”

He also stated that he purchased the pistol from one Gideon, alias “Starboy,” residing in Suleja, for the sum of N300,000.

The suspect, who claimed to be a campus photographer, said the camouflage items were given to him by a friend. He is currently under investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the said Gideon and other accomplices.

In a related development, on April 21, 2026, at about 3:00 a.m., police received a report that two suspects, identified as Talba and Suleiman (both at large), trespassed into a residence in Gatatu, stole a cow valued at over N1 million, and took it to the residence of one Anthony Ahmed, where it was slaughtered and sold to Aisha Shuaibu.

Following the report, operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) arrested two suspects: Anthony Ahmed, 37, of Gatatu, and Hajia Aisha Shuaibu, 70, of Soje ‘A’, Minna. They were found in possession of the cow’s head, legs, tail, and skin.

Both suspects reportedly confessed to the crime, while Aisha stated that she purchased the cow for N350,000. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

Similarly, on April 11, 2026, at about 7:00 a.m., a complaint was received that earlier that day, around 2:00 a.m., some hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons attacked a camp in the Tagwai Dam area of Chanchaga and rustled four cows.

Police operatives attached to the Crack Squad launched an investigation and, acting on intelligence, trailed the suspects to a forest in Lapai. A gun duel ensued, during which the suspects fled, abandoning the stolen animals.

The four cows were recovered and subsequently returned to their rightful owner, while efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects.

In another operation, on April 25, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., Police received intelligence about a truck with registration number GRZ 483-XA, driven by Mohammed Yusuf from Kaduna State, conveying a large consignment of engine oil and hydraulic oil from Lagos to Abuja.

The truck was reportedly carrying 50 jerricans of 25 litres each, 400 cartons, and 99 drums of engine oil, as well as 400 jerricans of hydraulic oil, with plans to divert the goods to Kano State.

Acting on the information, a patrol team attached to Gawu-Babangida Division intercepted the vehicle at Lambata and arrested the following suspects: Mohammed Yusuf, 30; Abdulrahman Ibrahim, 30, both of Kaduna State; Sadiq Umar, 29, of Minna; and Abubakar Isah, 34, of Lagos State.

All suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Minna, for further investigation, while efforts are ongoing to contact the company involved.