The Niger State Police Command has arrested two men for their alleged involvement in the theft of a gold parcel valued at over N22 million in Minna, the state capital. The arrest followed a complaint by a recipient who discovered that a parcel containing gold sent from Abuja had gone missing under suspicious circumstances.
The suspects were identified as Ghazali Mohammed, 41, a commercial driver, and Hassan Taoheed, 45, an offloader. According to the police, the stolen parcel contained 113.93 grams of gold and was meant to be delivered to a customer in Minna. The incident happened on January 3, 2026, at Mobil Park, one of the major motor parks in the city.
Confirming the arrest in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the case was reported after the intended recipient could not get the gold parcel upon arrival at the park.
According to the police statement, the sender of the gold had arranged for the parcel to be transported from Nyanya Park in Abuja to Minna. The parcel was handed over to Ghazali Mohammed, who was the driver of the vehicle travelling to Minna.
“The parcel was said to contain 113.93 grams of gold worth over twenty-two million naira, which was made known to the driver by the sender of the package,” Abiodun said.
The police explained that the sender also provided the driver with the contact details of the person who was to receive the parcel in Minna. The driver reportedly contacted the recipient and agreed to hand over the parcel upon arrival at Mobil Park.
However, when the recipient arrived at the park at the agreed time, things did not go as planned. The complainant reportedly met the driver offloading the vehicle with the help of another man, later identified as Hassan Taoheed.
“When asked for the parcel, the driver alleged that someone else had already come to collect it,” Abiodun said. “This claim raised suspicion on both the driver and the offloader.”
The recipient, surprised by the explanation, immediately reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the two men.
Following the complaint, operatives of the Niger State Police Command moved in to investigate the matter. The suspects were arrested for questioning, while efforts were launched to recover the missing gold.
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that the parcel was never handed over to any other person as claimed by the driver. This, officers said, strengthened suspicion that the gold was deliberately stolen.
“The suspects are currently under investigation, and efforts are ongoing to recover the stolen gold,” the police spokesperson said.
SP Abiodun added that the suspects would be charged to court once investigations are concluded.
The gold involved in the case is valued at over N22 million, making the incident one of the major theft cases recorded in the state in recent times. Gold, which is widely used for jewellery and investment, has continued to rise in value due to global demand and economic uncertainty.
In many parts of Nigeria, valuable items such as cash, gold, and important documents are often transported through commercial vehicles due to cost and convenience. Drivers are sometimes trusted to deliver these items, especially when the sender and recipient are in constant communication.
However, police authorities have repeatedly warned against this practice, advising members of the public to use secure and insured courier services for high-value items.
“This incident is another reminder that valuables should not be sent through unverified means,” a senior police officer said. “People should take extra care when moving expensive items.”
Niger State, which shares borders with Abuja and several northern states, serves as a major transit route for goods and passengers. Motor parks in cities like Minna often handle heavy traffic daily, making them busy and sometimes difficult to monitor closely.
In recent years, the state has recorded cases of theft, fraud, and other crimes linked to transport and logistics. While the police have increased patrols and surveillance in motor parks, criminals continue to exploit gaps in security.
The Niger State Police Command has repeatedly stated its commitment to tackling crime through intelligence gathering, prompt response to reports, and collaboration with park officials and transport unions.
SP Abiodun assured residents that the command would not tolerate criminal acts and would ensure that those involved in theft and fraud are brought to justice.
“The Niger State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property,” he said. “Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities promptly to the nearest police station.”
He also advised transport operators and offloaders to conduct their duties with honesty, warning that anyone found abusing public trust would face the full weight of the law.
As investigations continue, the police are working to determine whether the suspects acted alone or were part of a wider network involved in theft of valuable goods. Officers are also trying to trace the missing gold and recover it.
For now, the arrest has brought some relief to the complainant and raised awareness among the public about the risks involved in transporting valuable items through informal channels.