Police arrest four suspects, recover toy guns, ATM cards, stolen car in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects in separate operations, recovering three plastic pistols, 16 ATM cards and a vehicle allegedly stolen in Lapai Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Abiodun said officers from the Tudun-Wada Division arrested two suspects, Zaradeen Sani, 19, of Bosso, and Yakubu Abdullahi, 20, of Maitumbi, during a surveillance patrol around M.I. Wushishi Estate Junction, Minna, at about 11 p.m. on July 14.

According to him, the suspects were stopped while riding in a tricycle, and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of three plastic pistols and 16 expired ATM cards from different banks.

The suspects reportedly told investigators that they found the ATM cards on the ground while scavenging in Lagos.

However, the police said they suspected the items were being used in connection with robbery activities around the M.I. Wushishi Estate area.

In a separate operation, the Niger State Police Command received two suspected vehicle thieves from the Kano State Police Command after they allegedly confessed to stealing a Volkswagen car in Lapai.

The suspects, identified as Dauda Saidu, 23, from Dindare village in Tofa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and Hassan Aliyu, 28, from Faki in Ikara Local Government Area of Kaduna State, allegedly stole the vehicle about six months ago at Maraban-Gulu, Lapai.

Abiodun said the suspects took the vehicle to Kaduna State, where they allegedly used it for commercial transportation between Kaduna and Kano, as well as other criminal activities.

The stolen Volkswagen has been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to locate its owner.

The police spokesperson added that investigations into both cases were ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).