Niger: Despite curfew, thugs kill 2, injure many

Despite an ongoing restriction imposed by the Niger State government on the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Minna, the state capital, and its environs, thuggery continues unabated, with the latest incident claiming two lives. Several others, including innocent bystanders, sustained injuries during the attack, which occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning. Daily […]

Despite an ongoing restriction imposed by the Niger State government on the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Minna, the state capital, and its environs, thuggery continues unabated, with the latest incident claiming two lives.

Several others, including innocent bystanders, sustained injuries during the attack, which occurred between Thursday night and Friday morning.

Daily Trust gathered that one hoodlum, identified as Shehu, was killed during a clash between gangs from Anguwan-Kangiwa and Anguwan-Makolo areas of Chanchaga.

The second victim, an innocent bystander, drowned in Chanchaga River while fleeing the violence.

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No fewer than ten houses were also destroyed by the rampaging thugs.

Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in April 2025, imposed a 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. restriction on the operations of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in the capital and its environs to curb the rising wave of thuggery, phone snatching, and armed robbery.

However, on May 5, 2025, the curfew was adjusted to run from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In a statement, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, said the review followed improved security reports from the state security committee.

He quoted the governor as saying the administration would continue to consult with the committee and adjust the curfew as necessary.

 

How thugs attacked innocent residents

The violence, which began Thursday night, extended into Friday morning, affecting innocent residents and damaging property.

Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers left behind messages warning that the violence was not over.

A resident, who asked not to be named, said, “The victims were mostly innocent citizens. Two Fulani boys were on their way into town when they got caught in the fight. They didn’t realise the hoodlums would attack just anyone.

“One of them was macheted, and when the second saw his brother bleeding from a cutlass wound, he fled and jumped into the Chanchaga River. Sadly, he drowned. Many of those injured were going about their daily activities.”

Residents also said mourners returning from a funeral in Anguwan-Kangiwa were attacked Friday morning, leading to further injuries.

The community leader of Anguwan-Kangiwa, Yakubu Garba, confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, stating that peace in the area had been disrupted.

“I wasn’t at home when the hoodlums invaded, but I was contacted and returned to find the chaos. They went from house to house, attacking innocent people, destroying businesses and homes.

“Two of the attackers have been arrested. We have given the names of those we recognised to security operatives, and some arrests have been made. I know one of the boys died when the fight began that night.

“We want the government to take decisive action against these thugs. We appreciate the government’s efforts so far in addressing the menace. If not for the swift intervention of police and vigilantes, the situation could have been much worse,” he said.

Yunifred Solomon, another resident, said the crisis had destabilised the community for the past three days.

“We want the government to take strong action. The fear alone has sent some people to the hospital with high blood pressure. If the government doesn’t act, more innocent lives could be lost. The government must act decisively to end this,” she said.

Aishatu Ibrahim, whose son was severely injured, said she was at home when he was brought in with machete wounds.

“I was at home when they brought him in. I’m devastated. The government must come to our aid because even elderly people are getting caught up in this violence.

“My son is in the hospital, and I don’t even have money for his medication. We’re considering moving him to a traditional bone setter because he has a leg fracture. On the day of the incident, we spent N30,000 on initial treatment, including scans, X-rays, and drugs,” she said.

Another resident, Adamu, said he was attacked on his way home from work and sustained machete injuries.

“I was returning from work when I ran into them. They stopped me and hit my leg. My leg is broken. Thankfully, some people working on a nearby farm came to my rescue,” he said.

Abubakar, another source, told Daily Trust that they were returning from a burial when the hoodlums attacked.

“We were returning from the burial ground when we encountered the hoodlums. I was attacked and injured. If not for the police intervention, I would have been killed,” he said.

Several innocent residents sustained injuries while trying to escape the violence, he added.

In addition to the persistent thuggery, phone snatching remains rampant in Minna. Hassan Mohammed, a resident of the Albishir area, told Daily Trust that his phone was snatched in broad daylight along David Mark Road in the Tunga area around 5 p.m. recently.

Mohammed said he had gone to visit relatives when he was attacked and his phone was taken by “men of the underworld.”

Ahmed Isah, a resident of Gurara, also recounted a recent narrow escape from phone snatchers while returning home from his shop around 9 p.m.

“I was going back home around 9 p.m. when I saw someone running. He told me not to take the route I was heading towards because phone snatchers had nearly stabbed him. I thought it was a joke—until I narrowly escaped too,” he said.

 

Suspects arrested – Police

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the violent clash between youths from Anguwan-Kangiwa and Anguwan-Makolo in Chanchaga.

Abiodun stated that one of the hoodlums died while receiving treatment at the hospital, and five suspects have been arrested in connection with the violence.

He reiterated that the restriction on commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. remains in effect.

“On 15th May, 2025, at about 12:30 am, some miscreants of Angwan-Makolo and Angwan-Kangiwa engaged in a fight around Suleiman Street via Chanchaga after an occasion.

“As a result of this, some of them sustained serious injuries and were taken to the hospital for treatment, but one of them, known as Shehu, died on admission. However, five suspects were arrested, including the Mai-Angwan of the area, who allowed such an occasion at a late hour without informing the Police of necessary preventive measures.

“Restriction of movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 8 pm to 6 am is still in force, and the police operation flush patrol teams are still enforcing this accordingly,” Abiodun said.

 

Curfew not solution to youth restiveness

– Residents

Some residents of Chanchaga have criticised the government’s curfew on commercial motorcycles and tricycles, arguing that it is not an effective solution to youth restiveness.

They called on the government to empower traditional leaders to take firmer action within their communities.

One resident, Alhaji Yahaya Yunusa, said community leaders often know the “bad boys” in their areas and, in some cases, may even be complicit.

“As far as I’m concerned, the Niger State government has not taken the right steps to address criminal activities.

“The restriction on motorcycles and tricycles is not the solution. The government needs to go to the grassroots and understand what’s happening. They sit at the top and make decisions that don’t work.

“Any district head or community leader who cannot control their area should be dethroned and replaced. Once that starts to happen, they will take their responsibilities seriously. They know the bad boys and their parents.

“If the government starts going after them, they will begin to cooperate with the police and provide the right information.

“People are afraid to give the police information because it often leaks back to the criminals. In the end, the informants become targets,” he said.