The Niger State Police Command has arrested 147 suspects in separate operations targeting criminal hideouts, thuggery and other alleged offences across the state.

The command said 139 suspects were arrested in Suleja and surrounding communities following a reported violent rally and unlawful assembly in the area.

In a crime bulletin issued on Friday, the police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said the operation followed reports that some participants in the rally were armed with dangerous weapons and had allegedly attacked and robbed members of the public.

The Commissioner of Police, Adam Elleman, subsequently deployed the Command’s Vigilance, Community Relations and Intelligence Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4. The team carried out raids in Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza.

The police said 64 of the 139 suspects were allegedly found with suspected cannabis, dangerous weapons, scissors, knives, cutlasses and four live cartridges. They were arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja on charges including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, harbouring suspected criminals and possession of dangerous weapons. The suspects were remanded in a correctional centre.

In a separate operation in Minna, eight suspected thugs were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts in the Talakawa area of Tunga and Sauka-Kahuta. Police said weapons, suspected cannabis and other items were recovered.

The command also reported the arrest of four suspects during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Maitumbi on August 9. The suspects were allegedly found with illicit substances and shisha pots.

The police said investigations into the various cases were ongoing and that suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigations.

The command said the operations were part of its efforts to disrupt criminal activities, tackle thuggery and strengthen security across Niger State.