Police Arrest Ex-Officer for Impersonation, Motorcycle Theft and Extortion in Niger

The Niger State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old former police officer, Haruna Haggai, for allegedly impersonating security personnel, stealing motorcycles, and extorting residents in Minna.

Haggai was apprehended on January 16, 2026, at about 10:00 p.m. at his residence in Sauka-Kahuta, Minna, following intelligence reports and a complaint from one of his victims. The arrest was carried out by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad and the Force Intelligence Department.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspect posed as a serving police officer on January 14, 2026, when he intercepted a motorcyclist riding a Jincheng motorcycle along Kpakungu Road.

“He intimidated the rider, forcefully collected the motorcycle, and later conveyed the victim around town before extorting the sum of ₦150,000 from him in the Garatu area, accusing him of fraud before abandoning him,” the statement said.

Investigations revealed that the motorcycle was stolen during the operation and has since been recovered.

Abiodun disclosed that this was not the suspect’s first involvement in such crimes, noting that Haggai had previously been arrested in October 2025 for impersonation and extortion involving ₦400,000 after posing as an EFCC official. He was reportedly released at the time following an out-of-court settlement.

The police further stated that the suspect has been linked to multiple cases of robbery, extortion, harassment, and intimidation of residents within the Sauka-Kahuta area and its environs.

“The suspect is currently in custody undergoing investigation and will be charged to court for prosecution, taking into account records of his previous offences,” the statement added.