The Niger State Police Command has made significant strides in addressing violence in Minna by arresting seven suspected thugs linked to a series of attacks in the area. The arrests occurred during a sting operation on October 29, 2026, following credible intelligence regarding ongoing thuggery in the region.

According to a statement from the police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects, aged between 20 and 27, were apprehended around 4:30 a.m. in the Albishir area of Minna. The arrests are part of the police's response to a wave of violence that has plagued parts of Minna, particularly in Gbeganu/Gurara, Kafintela/Samande, and Angwan-Biri, Bosso.

The police linked these recent attacks to a revenge plot stemming from a violent incident at a party in Albishir in 2025, which resulted in the death of Sani Mohammed from Gurara. Following this incident, youths from Gurara reportedly organized retaliatory actions, leading to an attack on Alhassan Isyaku from Albishir while he was working in Gurara. This attack left another individual, Aliyu Isah, with serious injuries, including a deep cut to his right leg.

During the operation, police recovered various weapons from the suspects' residences, including swords, cutlasses, and a quantity of suspected cannabis. The suspects arrested include Abdullahi Hassan, Shafiu Yahaya, Mohammed Abdullahi, Idris Bashir, Idris Mohammed, Alhassan Isyaku, and Aliyu Isah, all of whom are now facing charges related to conspiracy, thuggery, and causing grievous bodily harm.

In a related incident earlier in October, police responded to an attack in the Samande area of Tunga, where hoodlums from Kafintela reportedly broke into shops and engaged in violent confrontations, resulting in one fatality. Following this, a group of suspects, including several teenagers, were also arrested and charged accordingly.

The police have emphasized their commitment to curbing thuggery and restoring peace in Minna and its surrounding areas. The ongoing investigations are expected to provide further insights into the network of violence affecting the community, as authorities work to bring all involved to justice.