Niger: 139 arrested, 64 remanded after Suleja violent rally

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 139 suspects following a crackdown on alleged criminal activities linked to an unlawful and violent rally in Suleja, with 64 of those arrested subsequently arraigned and remanded in a correctional centre.

The Command in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the arrests were made after the Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, deployed the Command’s Violent Crimes Response Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4, 2026.

Abiodun explained that at the end of the raids, 139 suspects were arrested at different locations.

He explained that this followed reports of an unlawful assembly during which some participants allegedly carried dangerous weapons and attacked and robbed members of the public.

The police said the operation was intelligence-led and targeted identified criminal blackspots across Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza.

According to him, “Following screening and investigation, 64 of the suspects were allegedly found in possession of large quantities of suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges”.

He disclosed that the 64 suspects were subsequently arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on charges including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetment, harbouring suspected criminals, giving information to miscreants, causing disappearance of evidence, mischief and possession of dangerous weapons.

The court remanded the suspects in a correctional centre, according to the police.

The crackdown comes amid growing security concerns in Suleja and surrounding communities, where criminal gangs and violent street activities have continued to pose a challenge to residents and security agencies.

The Command said the operation was part of efforts to rid the area of criminal elements and restore public safety.