Niger Police Arrest Two in Suleja Murder Case, Seven for Robbery and Stolen Property

The Niger State Police Command has detained two individuals in connection with the murder of Suleja resident Alhaji Monsa, and has arrested seven others on charges of armed robbery, receiving stolen property, and assisting a criminal syndicate operating in Suleja and its surroundings.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the breakthrough came after a distress call was received on June 10 following the robbery of a Jincheng motorcycle in the Rafin‑Chinaka area of Maje.

Police officers followed the fleeing suspects to the Zuba axis and arrested Bitrus James, who was found in possession of the stolen motorcycle.

According to the spokesman, the investigations led to the arrest of Aminu Ibrahim, Gali Ibrahim Abubakar, Ibrahim Idris, Samaila Nasiru, Mohammed Sani, Dorcas Thomas, Rejoice Samaila, and Musa Lawal.

Preliminary findings indicate that Bitrus James, Aminu Ibrahim, Gali Ibrahim Abubakar, Ibrahim Idris, and two other suspects who remain at large were members of an armed robbery syndicate that has terrorised Suleja, Kwamba, and nearby communities.

Abiodun reported that Bitrus James and Aminu Ibrahim admitted to participating in the killing of Alhaji Monsa on May 31 behind Niger Motel in Suleja, where the victim was allegedly stabbed to death with a jackknife before his motorcycle and bag were taken.

He added that Musa Lawal, identified as a major receiver of stolen motorcycles, confessed to receiving several motorcycles from gang members and forwarding them through Mohammed Sani to buyers in Katsina, Kaduna, and other locations.

Lawal was also accused of attempting to bribe the Divisional Police Officer handling the case.

The police spokesman further revealed that Samaila Nasiru operated a boutique in Jabi where firearms and other weapons belonging to the gang were stored, Rejoice Samaila allegedly sheltered Bitrus James, and Dorcas Thomas provided her personal details to facilitate the opening of an account used for proceeds of crime.

Items recovered from the suspects included two locally manufactured revolvers, an axe, a jackknife, one live cartridge, eight empty cartridges, a laptop, the deceased victim’s bag, motorcycle parts, handsets, and ATM cards.

Abiodun said all suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and prosecution.