3 suspects arrested in Niger for attempting to buy 6-month-old fetus from pregnant woman for rituals

Monday, February 24, 2025 - The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects for allegedly trying to buy a six-month-old foetus for ritual purposes.Spokesperson of the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement said the suspects offered a pregnant woman N30m to remove her foetus. 

According to the PPRO, the suspects attempted to take the pregnant woman from Rafin-Yashi area of Minna to one 'Gbege' 

“On 17th February, 2025 around 4pm, based on a report of conspiracy and attempt to cause miscarriage received, three suspects were arrested; Martha Andrew, James Luka and Johnson John all of Minna,” the statement read.

"The suspects were arrested as they conspired among themselves with an attempt to take a pregnant victim from Rafin-Yashi area of Minna to one 'Gbege' presently at large. 

"They lured the victim with a promise to pay her thirty million naira to remove her six-month-old pregnancy for ritual purposes.

"The three suspects were tracked and arrested around a hotel along Eastern Bye-Pass, Minna by Police operatives of the SCID, Minna. 

“During interrogation, they confessed to the crime, and efforts to arrest the said Gbege are ongoing.”

In another development, on 19th February, 2025 at about 9pm, Police operatives of operation flush patrol team attached to Bosso Div while on routine stop and search at Imurat junction Bosso, intercepted a tricycle conveying two passengers from Mobile roundabout heading to Maikunkele, Bosso LGA.

The passengers were searched, and one locally fabricated pistol was found in possession of one Habibu Shuaibu of Jijiya village via Manta Shiroro LGA, concealed in his travelling bag. 

During interrogation, he claimed that he resides in Sabon-Gona village, Kabba area of Kogi State and that the pistol was fabricated for him for the purpose of hunting. The suspect is under investigation while the pistol was also recovered.

Meanwhile, police operatives arrested two suspected drug dealers and recovered illicit hard drugs in Kontagora.

“On 20th February, 2025 around 6pm, Police operatives of A Div Kontagora arrested Amiceh Ibelu and George Ibelu both residing in Kontagora. The duo were arrested along Matachibu village with suspected illicit hard drugs,” SP Abiodun stated. 

“They claimed that they went to take the delivery of the items from their supplier and they were taking it to their outlets in Bangi and its environs, suspected to be supplying kidnappers in the area. They are under investigation with the aim of arresting the said supplier.”