Nigeria: Police Arrest 29 Suspects Over Murder, Other Allegations in Niger

What the report says

Premium Times, cited by AllAfrica, reported that police in Niger State said they arrested 29 suspects in connection with several alleged crimes, including the killing of a village head and other offences. The state command said the arrests were outlined in a crime bulletin issued by spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun and covered incidents across different local government areas.

The most serious case involved the alleged killing of Bawa Barde, 53, the village head of Zhilu in Munya Local Government Area. Police said they responded to a distress call on 23 August and found him with machete injuries at his home. Four suspects were later detained between 25 and 28 August and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation and possible prosecution for culpable homicide.

Police also said they arrested three men over an alleged cow theft in Katcha Local Government Area, nine people in separate operations linked to thuggery and public disturbance, and 12 suspected miscreants in midnight raids in Chanchaga. In addition, officers recovered a locally made pistol at a mining site, seized a stolen motorcycle, and detained one suspect over an alleged armed robbery and housebreaking case in Maitumbi. The force said investigations were continuing and urged residents to keep sharing information with security agencies.

The report reflects a broader pattern of police crackdowns on violent crime and theft in the state, though the allegations remain under investigation and the named suspects have not been shown guilty in court.