Niger Police Arrest 139, Remand 64 After Suleja Violent Rally

Niger State Police say 139 suspects have been arrested after a violent rally in Suleja, with 64 of them arraigned and remanded in a correctional centre.

The command said the arrests followed reports of an unlawful assembly in which some participants allegedly carried weapons, attacked residents and robbed members of the public.

Channels TV and Daily Post both reported the police statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun. The reports said Commissioner of Police Adamu Abdullahi Elleman deployed the Violent Crime Response Unit, led by CSP Hassan Gimba, to Suleja on August 4, 2026.

Police said the unit carried out operations in Madalla, Kwata, Bakin-Ruwa, Dikko, Kaduna Road, Sabon-Wuse, Gwazunu and Chaza. At the end of the raids, 139 suspects were arrested at different locations.

After screening and investigation, police said 64 suspects were linked to offences including criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, harbouring suspected criminals and causing public disturbance. They were also allegedly found with suspected cannabis, knives, cutlasses, scissors and four live cartridges.

The police said the 64 suspects were taken before the Chief Magistrate Court in Suleja and remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre, while investigation continued on the wider group of arrests.

Sources: Channels TV, Daily Post