THE Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of three suspects in separate incidents involving counterfeit currency, illegal arms possession, and motorcycle theft across Minna.
In a statement released on Thursday, the command said that on 18 May 2025, police operatives attached to Bosso Division arrested Nda Baba Mohammed, 27, at the Hajj Camp in Tudun-Fulani, Bosso, Minna. The suspect was allegedly found in possession of forty thousand CFA francs, suspected to be counterfeit.
The arrest followed credible intelligence that a syndicate specialised in duping Hajj pilgrims with counterfeit currency was operating in the area. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to stealing the currency from the home of a certain Mohammed in Kwara State while engaged in farming activities there. He remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the origin of the currency.
In a separate operation on 20 May, police officers conducting a routine stop-and-search at Imrat Junction, Bosso, intercepted a tricycle carrying three individuals from Kure market to Maikunkele. A search revealed that one of the passengers, Shehu Adamu of Gusasse village, Maikunkele, was in possession of a locally fabricated pistol loaded with one round of 7.62mm ammunition, a charm jacket, charms, a knife, and ₦141,000 in cash.
The suspect, who wore four layers of clothing to conceal the charm jacket, claimed the items were for spiritual protection and vigilante work. He also stated that the pistol was inherited from his late father. He is currently in custody as investigations continue.
Later that day, around 5:30pm, police officers from ‘A’ Division Minna responded to a distress call reporting a mob attack on a suspected motorcycle thief near General Hospital, Minna. The officers rescued and arrested Basiru Abubakar, 35, of Sokoto State, who was alleged to have drugged a motorcycle rider in an attempt to steal the bike.
