“I STOLE THE GOODS TO PLAY BETTING GAMES” — POLICE SAY SHOP CARETAKER CONFESSED TO ₦2M THEFT
“I STOLE THE GOODS TO PLAY BETTING GAMES” — POLICE SAY SHOP CARETAKER CONFESSED TO ₦2M THEFT
Police recover stolen merchandise from an uncompleted building as 32-year-old suspect is charged to court.
A 32-year-old shop caretaker, identified as Victor Peter, has been arrested by the Niger State Police Command over an alleged shop-breaking and theft involving goods valued at more than ₦2 million in Gidan-Kwano, Minna.
The arrest followed a report received at Kpakungu Police Division on November 5, 2026, concerning the burglary of about five shops along KFF Street, Gidan-Kwano, earlier that morning.
According to a crime bulletin issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, on November 15, 2026, police operatives commenced an investigation into the incident, which subsequently led to the arrest of Peter, identified as the caretaker of the affected shops.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to carrying out the operation alone at about 3:30 a.m. on November 5.
The police further disclosed that Peter allegedly moved the stolen belongings to an uncompleted building, where he intended to dispose of them and use the proceeds to play betting games.
Items reportedly stolen from the shops included two power banks, four traditional outfits, other clothing materials, four pairs of shoes, phone chargers and a music box, among other belongings, with their total value estimated at over ₦2 million.
The Command said the stolen items were recovered from the uncompleted building where the suspect had allegedly concealed them.
The suspect has since been charged to court for prosecution, according to the police.
The incident raises concerns about the vulnerability of small businesses to property-related crimes and the economic consequences such incidents can have on traders and business owners.
The Niger State Police Command reiterated its commitment to tackling criminal activities and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to security agencies.
