The Niger State Police Command has arrested six suspects for possession of fabricated AK-49 rifle, live ammunition, fraud, and impersonation in the state.
The command, in a statement signed by Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that on 11 April 2025, police operatives from the Counter Terrorism Unit, CTU, intercepted one Abdullahi Sani, 20, of Rafin-Daji, Abaji area of the FCT, at Gidan-Gwona, Saminaka area of Gurara LGA, with a fabricated AK-49 rifle and a magazine containing three live rounds of 7.62mm calibre ammunition.
He explained that, during interrogation, the suspect claimed he was returning from Kwakuti, where he had attended an occasion, and was accosted by the police on reaching Saminaka.
The PRO stated that the suspect claimed he is a member of the Yansakai group in Abaji, and the rifle was given to him by his commander, one Danlami Bala, of the same address.
“The said Bala was also arrested, and he claimed that he got the rifle from one Yakubu who is presently at large. However, the two suspects are under investigation,” he said.
Similarly, Abiodun disclosed that on 16 April 2025, at about 3 pm, acting on credible intelligence that a syndicate of four men specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public in various markets across the state had been sighted at Izom cattle market and were planning to defraud an individual after selling his cattle.
He explained that, based on this intelligence, police operatives from Maje Division mobilised to the scene, intercepted a black Mercedes-Benz vehicle with registration number KTU 747 HF, and apprehended the suspects.
The suspects are identified as Aliyu Abbas, 35, of Funtua, Katsina; Jibrin Idris, 35, of Gwiwa, Jigawa; Musa Ya’u of Daura, Katsina; and Abubakar Yahaya, 45.
Abiodun further revealed that the suspects were intercepted at Izom cattle market.
On interrogation, he revealed that the suspects confessed to being fraudsters, even as some victims identified the syndicate as individuals who had swindled them of money and cattle at various markets.
“It was also said that at times, they do present themselves as policemen to their victims or counterfeit notes producers,” the police spokesperson stated.
Exhibits recovered include the sum of N1.2 million in cash, cut-to-size papers, liquid chemicals for counterfeiting notes, a handcuff, and two mobile phones.
The suspects are currently under investigation and will face prosecution upon the conclusion of inquiries.
