By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Niger State Police Command has arrested two men for the abduction and murder of a 10-year-old boy in Mariga Local Government Area.
In a separate case, three suspected motorcycle thieves were apprehended in Kontagora.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said in a statement on Wednesday that 10-year-old Yaseer Mustapha of Kwana-Mariga was kidnapped on July 24, 2025, while his guardian was on the farm. The abductors initially demanded ₦3.5 million ransom.
After negotiations, the guardian paid ₦100,000, followed by another ₦10,000 to one Abdulmajid Dan-Azumi but the boy was never released.
When communication with the kidnappers broke down, the guardian reported the matter to the police in September.
The case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), leading to the arrest of Dan-Azumi, 32, of Kwana.
His confession resulted in the arrest of his accomplice, Abdulnafiu Usman, 18, also from the community.
The suspects admitted to killing the victim and burying him in an uncompleted building. Police operatives exhumed the decomposed body and handed it over to the family for burial. Both men have been arraigned in court and are awaiting prosecution.
In a related development, police in Kontagora arrested three suspects for allegedly stealing and dismantling a Bajaj motorcycle.
On September 23, 2025, officers from ‘B’ Division intercepted two men along the Kontagora-Yauri Road near Mararaba Junction.
The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended after a chase. A search revealed motorcycle parts hidden in a sack.
The suspects, identified as Jibril Musa, 24, of Bayan-Waya, and Ahmed Tiamiyu of New-Market, Kontagora, confessed to the crime and named their accomplice, Elijah Ochoba, 20, who assisted in dismantling the bike. All three are currently in custody undergoing investigation.
