Police arrest seven suspected political thugs in Niger, recover dangerous weapons
By Priscilla Dennis, Minna
The Niger State Police Command has arrested seven suspected political thugs in Minna over alleged involvement in political violence, recovering cutlasses, knives and other dangerous weapons.
The suspects were arrested in two separate operations by operatives of the command's Anti-Thuggery Unit at the Trade Fair Complex, Shango, and Tunga areas of Minna.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 15, 2026.
According to the police, six suspects were arrested on November 12 at the Trade Fair Complex, Shango, while allegedly engaging in thuggery during political campaign activities.
Two cutlasses, four knives, scissors and other dangerous weapons were recovered from them.
The PRO stated that in a related operation on November 13, another suspect identified as Anasho was arrested around Tunga for allegedly attacking a political campaign team and destroying vehicles, banners and other campaign materials.
A cutlass was reportedly recovered from him. The police said he remained in custody for further investigation.
The command also reported separate arrests over alleged theft, housebreaking and destruction of property in Minna and Suleja.
In Chanchaga, 35-year-old Lawal Mohammed was arrested for allegedly breaking into a room at Angwan-Dakoko and stealing 11 wrappers and a power bank. Four wrappers and the power bank were recovered.
Similarly, 18-year-old Kabiru Mikailu was arrested following an attack on a house in Angwan-Kadara, Maitumbi, where a vehicle's windscreen was damaged and four crates of soft drinks reportedly destroyed.
The Police image maker said four sticks and two cutlasses were recovered from him. He allegedly mentioned six other suspects, including Khalifa Usman, Abba Usman, Nafiu, Ali Zagam and Abubakar, who are still at large.
In Suleja, Abiodun disclosed that two men, Alhassan Abdullahi, 32, and Zahradeen Aliyu, 22, were arrested over alleged housebreaking and theft of 120 litres of diesel, a handset and money from a residence around Maje Flyover.
A search of the second suspect's residence reportedly led to the recovery of three empty jerrycans, a television, clothes and suspected housebreaking tools.
In another case, 32-year-old Victor Peter, a caretaker, was arrested over the alleged burglary of five shops at KFF Street, Gidan-Kwano, Minna, where goods valued at over N2 million were stolen.
The police further said the stolen items were recovered from an uncompleted building where the suspect allegedly kept them.
The command added that some of the suspects had been charged to court, while investigations into other cases were ongoing.
Police arrest seven suspected political thugs in Niger, recover dangerous weapons