The Niger State Police Command has arrested five suspects, including a celebrant, in connection with a clash around the Albishiri area of Bida-Minna road, just as 17 others were nabbed in various raids in the state capital.
The fight, which blocked the highway, was reportedly part of a larger issue of thuggery and youth restiveness in the area.
According to SP Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred on January 18, 2026, at around 10 pm, during a send-off ceremony for a boy who graduated from an apprenticeship.
The PRO stated that the police patrol team was mobilised to the scene and the miscreants were dispersed.
” On 18/1/2026 at about 10pm, a distress call was received from the Albishiri area of Bida road, Minna, that there was a send-off ceremony for a boy who graduated from apprenticeship in the area, and as a result of that, a group of youths/miscreants gathered in the area and a fight ensued between them,” he revealed.
The police spokesman, however, disclosed that they regrouped the next day, at about 8.30am on 19 January, and engaged in another fight between Gurara and Albishiri, causing blockage of the Bida-Minna road.
He stated, ” Police patrol teams led by AC Operations and Area Commander Bosso moved to the scene, and five suspects were arrested, including the celebrant, while others escaped to neighbouring communities”.
Abiodun further disclosed that the police have been intensifying efforts to curb thuggery and youth restiveness in Minna, with over 22 suspects arrested in recent raids.
Abiodun further stated that earlier, as part of the fight against thuggery and youth restiveness in Minna, Police Divisions in the Metropolis raided different black spots and hideouts in Minna with over 22 suspects arrested at different locations;
He disclosed on 27/12/25 at about 2am, Minna Central Police Station raided Alagbado area of Minna, where they arrested Abdullahi Sani a.k.a Foga and Ahmad Alhassan.
“Similarly within 23-25/12/25, eight suspects were arrested from Tudun-Natsira, Angwan-Daji, Abdulsalam quarters, and New-market who are; Abba Biri, Chakuli, Khalifa, Oko, Ismail Mohammed, Hassan Ibrahim, Enoch Habila, Mustapha Nasiru, while GRA Division arrested seven suspects within the period and Chanchaga Division arrested five persons,”Abiodun added.
Some of the suspects were found with dangerous weapons and illicit substances, including cannabis.
All suspects were charged in court accordingly; meanwhile, monitoring and patrol are intensified, raid of hideouts are also sustained.
Some of the suspects were found with dangerous weapons and illicit substances, including cannabis.
