The Niger State Police Command has arrested four suspects believed to be part of a syndicate stealing goats in Minna.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, said the suspects confessed to having stolen over 500 goats at different locations in Minna for five years.
“On 14/08/2023 at about 1300hrs, based on information received about a syndicate who specializes in stealing goats around Kpakungu, Soje areas of Minna,” the statement read.
“The syndicate was sighted and the Police were alerted immediately, while the TST team responded, the thieves zoomed off in a Honda Civic vehicle with Reg. No. MNA 342 AA.
“The vehicle was intercepted around Shiroro Hotel and three suspects were arrested there-in; -Shehu Buhari 25yrs, Musa Idris 40yrs both of Barkin-Sale, Minna, Idrisu Aliyu (Dagrin) 22yrs of Kaffintela, Minna
“During interrogation, the suspects said that they had been stealing goats in Minna for the past five years to survive, as they had stolen over 500 goats at different locations in Minna.
“It was further stated that they do sell the goats at the rate of ten thousand to fifteen thousand, depending on the size, to butchers in Maitumbi and Tunga areas, and that Idris Dagrin’s vehicle, Honda Civic is always being used to convey the animals.
“The suspects mentioned two receivers, out of which; one Murtala Dan-Azumi of Tunga was arrested, and Hussaini Yahaya is at large. Effort is ongoing to arrest the said Labaran and Hussaini.
“The cases are under investigation and all suspects will be arraigned in court for prosecution immediately after the investigation.”