Police arrest two over mast vandalism in Niger, suspected soldier escapes
Two Arrested for Alleged Vandalism of Communication Mast in Niger State
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended two men in connection with the vandalism of a communication mast in Minna. The arrests occurred on September 20, 2026, at Tungan-Mallam Village, along the Paiko-Lapai Road.
The arrested individuals are identified as Ogbonna David, 34, and Chidiebere Okonkwo, 30, both from Rivers State. According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were taken into custody after police received credible information that a stolen Mazda vehicle, bearing the registration PHC 544 BP, was traveling through Tungan-Mallam at approximately 5:50 p.m.
Upon receiving the tip, police personnel from the Paiko Division intercepted the vehicle and arrested David and Okonkwo. Preliminary investigations revealed that there were four individuals in the vehicle, including a suspected soldier believed to be acting as an escort.
The group is alleged to have vandalized the communication mast and stolen solar batteries in the Brighter area of Minna before attempting to flee toward Abuja. Authorities indicated that security personnel along Lambata Road were notified during the pursuit, but the suspects changed course upon seeing the officers and diverted through Paiko-Lapai Road, where they were ultimately intercepted.
The suspected soldier and another accomplice managed to escape the scene following the interception. A subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of several items, including four solar batteries, two Android phones, a keypad phone, two gas cylinders, military camouflage, a pair of military boots, a green beret, photographs of a military officer, cash amounting to N26,000, a knife, and a bag of spanners.
David and Okonkwo have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation and potential prosecution. The police report that efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a separate incident, police arrested Lami Bako, 35, from Mokwa, after she was found with a crying two-month-old baby at Kainji Junction around 3:30 a.m. on September 20. During questioning, Bako claimed she is not the child’s biological mother and stated that an unidentified woman had given her the baby. This case has also been referred to the SCID for investigation, with authorities aiming to identify those involved and reunite the child with its mother.
