Authorities in Niger State have apprehended a high-profile criminal suspect linked to multiple violent offenses, marking progress in efforts to curb gang activity and drug-related crime in the region. Hussaini Usman, 23, widely known by the alias El-Hussain, was arrested on July 10 in Minna following a tip-off, police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed in a weekend statement.
Acting on intelligence, officers from the ‘A’ Division arrested Usman at his residence on Kuta Road, where they recovered a long sharp knife and a quantity of suspected marijuana. The suspect, accused of terrorizing neighborhoods across Minna, had allegedly evaded capture after reportedly robbing a salesgirl of motorcycle parts on Ogbomoso Road and engaging in frequent street violence. “He threatened residents, snatched phones, and instilled fear in areas like Ungwar-sarki and Paida,” Abiodun said.
Further investigations into Usman’s activities led to the pre-dawn arrest of nine additional suspects on July 12. Police seized dangerous weapons during raids in Ungwar-sarki and Ogbomoso Street, where the group is alleged to have operated.
In a parallel operation, law enforcement disrupted a suspected drug network in Suleja, 80 kilometers from Minna. On July 13, a joint team from the Suleja Area Command and 12 Police Mobile Force unit intercepted Elijah Mathew, a 23-year-old from Gurara Local Government Area, allegedly transporting two-and-a-half bags of cannabis. Mathew’s interrogation reportedly uncovered ties to Moses Obi, a resident of Maje, Suleja, who claimed ownership of the drugs and identified an Abuja-based supplier named Aminu as his source. Both Mathew and Obi remain in custody pending transfer to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna, while authorities continue searching for Aminu.
The arrests highlight intensified police operations targeting organized crime networks in north-central Nigeria. While the suspects have yet to face formal charges, officials emphasize that recoveries of weapons and illicit substances underscore persistent security challenges in urban centers. Residents in affected areas have repeatedly complained about recurring violence and drug-related activities disrupting daily life, though some community leaders cautiously welcomed the recent police actions.
Abiodun reaffirmed commitments to address public safety concerns, stating, “These operations reflect our resolve to pursue criminal elements and restore order.” Authorities urge citizens to maintain vigilance and report suspicious activities as investigations progress.
