At least 14 criminal suspects involved in alleged illegal mining, vandalism and theft of an electrical transformer have been arrested by the operatives of the Niger State Police Command,
The Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest of the suspects through a statement issued on Saturday,23 August, 2025, adding that they had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
According to Abiodun, eight of the suspects were arrested in Minna following a police sting operation on an illegal mining site, while the six other suspects were arrested while planning to dispose of a suspected stolen 300KVA transformer along Kaduna Road.
“On 18th August, 2025 at about 4 pm, Police operatives of Central Police Station, Minna led by the DPO carried out a sting operation at an illegal mining site around mechanic bye-pass, Minna and the following suspects were arrested; Samaila Nuhu 20 years of Sayako, Ahmad Moh’d 17 years of F/Layout Musa Aliyu 20 years of Bosso, Umar Salihu 47 years of Ang/Daji
“The suspects were arrested with 3 diggers, 6 shovels and 10 headpans, while others fled from the scene. All the suspects are under investigation and they will be prosecuted accordingly. However, monitoring continues,” he said.
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