Police in Niger arrest suspects in armed robbery and tricycle theft

The Niger State Police Command has arrested suspects in separate operations involving alleged armed robbery, tricycle theft and possession of suspected stolen property in parts of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun said operatives attached to Maje Division apprehended Ghali Bello, 43, in connection with the alleged theft of a tricycle belonging to a trader at Auwal Ibrahim Market, Kwamba.

The victim reported that his newly acquired tricycle, registration number MNA 125 VM, was stolen from its parking spot after work on May 8, 2026.

Following the complaint, police detectives launched an investigation and, using technical intelligence, traced the tricycle to Funtua Local Government Area of Katsina State, where it was recovered from the suspect.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly claimed he received the tricycle from a person named Sani of Kwamba Motor Park, who remains at large.

Police investigations later revealed that Ghali Bello worked in the same market and had acted as guarantor for the victim under the hire‑purchase agreement for the tricycle, which is valued at about N8 million.

The suspect and the recovered tricycle are currently in police custody for further investigation.

In another development, Abiodun said police operatives attached to Maitumbi Division arrested two suspects, Abba Umar, 28, and Zakariya Abubakar, 23, both of Sabon‑Titi, Minna, for alleged armed robbery.

The suspects were reported to have stormed a hotel in the Maitumbi area armed with dangerous weapons, taking guests’ phones and other valuables.

The police spokesperson said the suspects were arrested after a distress call from the hotel manager, and cutlasses allegedly used in the robbery were recovered from them.

The command added that the suspects will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, police patrol operatives attached to Mokwa Division also arrested Hussaini Mohammed, 27, of Guye‑Doko village in Kwara State, with a Bajaj motorcycle suspected to be stolen.

According to the PRO, the suspect confessed during interrogation that the motorcycle belonged to his father and that he intended to sell it in Kontagora without his father’s consent.

The motorcycle was recovered, and the suspect has been charged to court for prosecution.