Police arrest suspect over beheading of Niger motorcyclist

A 25-year-old man, Mohammed Ibrahim, also known as Manga, was arrested by the Niger State Police Command on October 1, 2026, in connection with the alleged beheading of a motorcyclist and theft of his motorcycle on the Gidan-Kwano/Maikunkele Road. The suspect was apprehended at 2pm by Maikunkele Division operatives, in collaboration with the Violent Crime Response Unit.

The incident took place on September 30, 2026, after Ibrahim allegedly hired 23-year-old Shehu Mohammed, a local motorcyclist, to take him from Beji to Garatu village. The suspect claimed he was visiting friends in Garatu. However, upon returning from Garatu at midnight, Ibrahim allegedly conspired with two accomplices, named Risku and another individual, both at large, to assault the motorcyclist.

The victim was beheaded, while his new Bajaj motorcycle was stolen by the attackers. During questioning, Ibrahim admitted to his involvement in the crime. The stolen motorcycle and a cutlass were recovered from him. Ibrahim is currently held in police custody at the Violent Crime Response Unit, and investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend the remaining suspects.

He will be charged before a court upon the completion of the investigation. The Niger State Police Commissioner, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, emphasized the command's dedication to combating violent crimes and urged the public to provide credible information to aid crime prevention and detection.