Police arrest 37 ‘corporate beggars’ for public nuisance in Minna
Story by Hamzat IBRAHIM, Minna
The Niger State Government has cracked down on “corporate beggars,” arresting and remanding 37 individuals accused of obstructing official functions and engaging in public nuisance.
The arrests took place at multiple locations, including Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Hall and in front of Government House, Minna, according to SaharaReporters.
Seventeen suspects were apprehended at the conference hall premises during an official event, facing allegations of conspiracy, intimidation, extortion, phone snatching, and obstruction.
Governor Umaru Bago had previously voiced concerns over the increasing number of individuals engaging in corporate begging at key locations such as the Minna Airport, state secretariat, and mosques.
“Whenever they notice an airplane going towards the Minna Airport or see a government car, they will quickly carry their bike and follow them to the airport or wherever they are going to beg for arms,” he said.
Bago condemned the act as an embarrassment, especially when dignitaries visit the state. “This government has provided some of them with startup grants, employment, and political employment, but they still engage in corporate begging,” he added.
The governor had warned that begging or political rallies at locations like the airport, secretariat, and mosques would not be tolerated. “If anyone is found doing so, they will be dealt with severely,” he cautioned.
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He also revealed that security operatives had taken action against criminal activities at Minna Airport, including cable theft and phone snatching. “You don’t have any business going to the airport if you are not travelling via air,” he stated.
Confirming the arrests, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer Wasiu Abiodun said, “On 8/3/2025 at about 3pm, seventeen suspects were arrested by security operatives within Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi Int’l Conference hall, Minna for constituting public nuisance, conspiracy, intimidation, extortion, snatching of phones and obstructing the governor during an official function within the premises of the hall.”
“Some of them include; Bashir Moh’d, Nura Usman, Ibrahim Lawali, Yusuf Ibrahim, Abdullahi Usman, Hassan Ahmed, Aliyu Isah, Abdulhameed Tahir, Jibrin Adamu, Salisu Moh’d, Umar Usman, Adnan Adamu, Basiru Nuhu and others.
“Similarly, on the same date, at approximately 5pm, another twenty-one miscreants were apprehended in front of Government House, Minna and around Justice Legbo Kutigi hall for similar offences,” he said.
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