Niger State – In a significant crackdown, the Niger State Police Command has successfully arrested 15 suspects, with notorious armed bandit Rabiu Yusuf, aka Rabee, at the forefront.
CP Shawulu Ebenezer Damamman, the state Commissioner of Police, unveiled this achievement during a press conference at the Command headquarters in Minna.
Utilizing advanced technical intelligence, no the suspects were nabbed for a range of offenses, including banditry, kidnapping, arms dealing, car theft, defilement/rape, thuggery, and possession of illicit drugs.
Rabee, the identified armed bandit leader, was a key member of the Muware camp, notorious for kidnapping activities across the state.
His arrest, carried out by the Crack Squad team in the Tungan-Mallam Market area of Paiko, Paikoro local government area, marks a significant breakthrough.
Commissioner Damamman revealed, “Rabee has confessed to a series of kidnapping activities and is providing crucial information about the Muware camp. This group has been terrorizing areas like Beji, Maikunkele, Bosso, Gawu-Babangida, Sangeku, Bangi, Gulu, and Lapai in the state. Our investigation is ongoing, and Rabee is cooperating, offering more details that could lead to the apprehension of others involved.”
Additionally, the Commissioner shared details about the arrest of four suspected kidnappers involved in the December 21, 2023, kidnapping of a 20-year-old in Isana village via Nasko, Magama LG.
He added that the suspects confessed to the crime, revealing that they collected a ransom of N1.6m before releasing the victim.
The Commissioner shared that Buba Mohammed, one of the arrested suspects, also confessed to being part of another syndicate responsible for a separate kidnapping incident.
Recovered exhibits from the suspects include two locally fabricated guns (a single-barrel gun) and five handsets.
The Police assured that the Crack Squad unit is actively investigating, with efforts underway to apprehend those still at large.