Dismissed Police Officer Apprehended in Minna for Robbery and Extortion Crimes
The Niger State Police Command has made a significant arrest, taking into custody a thirty-year-old former police officer, Haruna Haggai, who was dismissed from service. Haggai stands accused of a series of serious criminal activities, including impersonating security personnel, violently snatching motorcycles, and systematically extorting money from residents in Minna, the state capital.
Arrest Operation Based on Intelligence and Victim Complaint
Haruna Haggai was successfully apprehended on January 16, 2026, at approximately 10:00 PM at his residence located in the Sauka-Kahuta area of Minna. The arrest was conducted by a joint team of operatives from the Force Intelligence Department and the Special Tactical Squad. This operation was initiated following specific intelligence reports and a formal complaint lodged by one of his victims, highlighting the suspect's predatory behavior.
Details of the Criminal Incident
Disclosing the details to journalists, the Police Public Relations Officer for Niger State, SP Wasiu Abiodun, provided a comprehensive account of the events. According to Abiodun, on January 14, 2026, the suspect posed as an active police officer along Kpakungu Road. There, he intercepted a rider operating a Jincheng motorcycle, intimidated the individual, and forcefully seized the motorcycle from him.
Subsequent police investigations revealed a more elaborate scheme. After taking the motorcycle, Haggai conveyed the victim around various parts of the town. He then falsely accused the rider of involvement in fraudulent activities. Under this pretext, around the Garatu area, he extorted the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000) from the victim. Following the extortion, he abandoned the victim and made away with the motorcycle, compounding the theft with financial exploitation.
History of Criminal Behavior and Previous Offences
SP Wasiu Abiodun further emphasized that this was not an isolated incident for Haruna Haggai. The suspect has a documented history of similar criminal conduct. In October 2025, he was previously arrested for allegedly impersonating an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and extorting four hundred thousand naira (N400,000) from another victim. However, he was released after an out-of-court settlement was reached in that case.
Additionally, the police command disclosed that they had received multiple reports from residents in the Sauka-Kahuta area and its surrounding environs. These reports detailed how the suspect had been harassing and terrorizing the community, extorting money and robbing people of their valuable possessions, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
Current Status and Legal Proceedings
The suspect is currently in police custody and is undergoing a thorough investigation. The police have successfully recovered the stolen Jincheng motorcycle involved in the January 14 incident. According to the official statement, Haruna Haggai will be charged to court for prosecution. The legal process will take into full account the records of his previous offences, ensuring a comprehensive approach to justice.
This case underscores ongoing concerns regarding individuals exploiting former or fake security affiliations to commit crimes, and highlights the efforts of the Niger State Police Command to address such security challenges through intelligence-led operations.
