Niger: 139 arrested, 64 remanded after Suleja violent rally
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended 139 individuals in connection with criminal activities associated with an unlawful rally in Suleja. Of those arrested, 64 have been arraigned and remanded in a correctional facility.
In a statement released Friday by Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, the arrests were made following the deployment of the Violent Crimes Response Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4, 2026. This operation was initiated under the direction of Commissioner of Police CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman.
Abiodun stated that the arrests occurred at various locations in response to reports of an unlawful assembly where participants allegedly wielded dangerous weapons and assaulted and robbed members of the public. The operation, characterized as intelligence-led, targeted known criminal hotspots throughout Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu, and Chaza.
Following investigations, police found that 64 suspects were in possession of significant amounts of suspected cannabis, various weapons including knives and cutlasses, and four live cartridges. The suspects were subsequently charged before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja with offenses including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetting, and possession of dangerous weapons.
The court has ordered the remand of the suspects in a correctional center, according to police reports.
This crackdown occurs amid escalating security concerns in Suleja and nearby areas, where criminal gangs and street violence have become persistent challenges for both residents and law enforcement agencies. The Niger State Police Command stated that this operation is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal elements and enhance public safety in the region.
