POLICE ARREST FOUR SUSPECTED CATTLE RUSTLERS, RECOVER 42 SHEEP IN NIGER

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 42 sheep in separate operations across the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the arrests followed credible intelligence.

According to him, operatives attached to the Crack Squad intercepted and arrested the suspects on February 24 at about 6 p.m. The suspects 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 said the arrests were made after a tip-off that the suspects were sighted around Raba forest via Mokwa with suspected rustled animals.

“Police operatives swung into action and trailed the suspects along Jebba-Mokwa road. Four among the syndicate were arrested while others escaped into the forest,” he said.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to rustling the sheep from Salihu village via Mokwa and mentioned other gang members. The police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that the 42 recovered sheep have been returned to their rightful owner.

In a related development, the command said it intercepted a Ford vehicle with registration number MNA 909 LD on February 23 at about 10 p.m. at the City Gate area of Minna.

The vehicle was reportedly loaded with 10 bags of zircon monazite suspected to have been stolen from an industrial company along Bida Road. The driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle and fled upon interception. Police said further investigation is ongoing.

In another incident, the police arrested a suspect over the alleged theft of a motorcycle and attempted homicide in Bida.

The incident occurred on February 19 at about 7:30 p.m. when two men, identified as Ibrahim Ahmed Musa and Ndagi Mohammed Jibril, boarded a motorcycle from the Cool Spot area to Ndayako Primary School, Bida.

According to Abiodun, upon reaching the back of the school, one of the suspects allegedly used a pestle to strike the rider on the head, causing him to become dizzy and fall, while they attempted to escape with the motorcycle.

The rider reportedly raised an alarm, attracting residents who pursued the suspects. Ibrahim Ahmed Musa was arrested with the motorcycle, while his accomplice escaped.

The suspect is currently in custody at ‘A’ Division, Bida, as efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing accomplice.