Police arrest two notorious kidnappers, armed robber in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has apprehended two notorious kidnappers who had been wreaking havoc in communities in Bosso Local Government for culpable homicide, alongside an armed robber in the state.

They include Sani Mohammed, aka Shawo, 22; Abubakar Dahiru, aka Sirin-baye, 20, of Gidan-Mangoro, Minna; and Idris Mohammed, aka Y.B, 30, of Opposite Kure Market area, Minna. They were arrested on June 16, 2025, by operatives of the Crack Squad and STS.

The State Police, through the Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement said Sani and Abubakar were linked to several high-profile kidnappings, including the abduction of a widow in Maikunkele, for which they demanded and received a ransom of N8 million.

He also disclosed that the same gang was involved in the kidnap of two brothers in Beji, for which they demanded a N5 million ransom.

Abiodun stated that after receiving the sum of N2.2 million, they released one before killing the other brother.

“The two suspects later fled to Kaba, Kogi and Zamfara States, until recently planning to regroup, with the intention to invite Yeli from Zamfara and Smally from Kogi State.”

“The suspects were further identified by another victim who paid a ransom of one million naira for his release,” Abiodun revealed.

Both of them are still under investigation, with a view to arresting other gang members.

The PRO further disclosed that Idris Mohammed was also involved in a gang that attacked and robbed victims in a mosque during morning prayers in Darulsalam, opposite Kure Market area, Minna.

“He (Idris) confessed to the crime, revealing that he and other gang members, including Yusuf, Usama, Hamza, Captain, Xsquad, and one other, were responsible for the act, while Xsquad was previously arrested and prosecuted,” he stated.

He is also under investigation with the team.