The Niger State Police Command has arrested two men over the kidnap and killing of a 10-year-old boy, Yaseer Mustapha, in Kwana-Mariga, Mariga Local Government Area of the state.
Police also said three other suspects were caught in a separate case for stealing and dismantling a motorcycle in Kontagora.
In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the case of the murdered boy began on July 24, 2025, when Yaseer was abducted while his guardian was working on the farm.
“His guardian received a call demanding ₦3.5 million ransom,” Abiodun said. “After much negotiation, the guardian was able to raise ₦100,000, which he paid into an account provided by the abductors. A month later, he was asked to pay an additional ₦10,000 to one Abdulmajid Dan-Azumi, without any word from the hoodlums afterwards.”
When the kidnappers failed to return the boy, the guardian reported the matter to the police in September. The case was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Police trailed and arrested Abdulmajid Dan-Azumi, 32, of Kwana. His confession led to the arrest of his accomplice, Abdulnafiu Usman, 18, of the same area.
“The suspects confessed to the crime, and unfortunately, they killed the boy and buried him in an uncompleted building within the neighbourhood. The operatives were led to the scene, where the decomposed body was recovered and later released to the family for burial,” Abiodun stated.
He added that both suspects have been charged to court for prosecution.
In another operation, officers in Kontagora arrested three men for stealing and dismantling a Bajaj motorcycle.
According to Abiodun, on September 23, 2025, a patrol team attached to ‘B’ Division, Kontagora, intercepted two suspects along Kontagora–Yauri Road near Mararaba Junction.
“The officers flagged down the suspects, who refused to stop, but were chased and eventually arrested. A spot search on them led to the recovery of dismantled parts of a Bajaj motorcycle concealed in a sack,” he said.
The suspects were identified as Jibril Musa, 24, of Bayan-Waya, Kontagora, and Ahmed Tiamiyu of the New-Market area, Kontagora. Under questioning, they confessed to stealing the motorcycle and named an accomplice, Elijah Ochoba, 20, who helped them dismantle it.
“All three suspects have been arrested and remain in custody under investigation,” the police spokesman confirmed.
The command assured residents that it will continue to track and prosecute criminals to make Niger State safer.
