Bello Mai-Danger, a middle-aged man, has been killed by police officers in Niger State.
The man was killed after he attacked and injured a police officer while the police were attempting to arrest him during a raid on a drug den in Minna, Niger State.
The incident happened around 10am on Tuesday at Bakin Beggar in the Angwan-Daji area, a location known for drug-related activities where Bello and his group allegedly sell and consume various hard substances.
According to SaharaReporters, it was gathered that members of a local vigilante group had earlier sent a representative to warn Bello to disperse with his group.
However, Bello reportedly dared them to return and threatened to kill anyone who confronted him.
Confirming the report to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the police acted on a distress call and were met with violent resistance.
“On 6th May, 2025 at about 10am, Police operatives of Central Police Division responded to a distress call in Angwan-Daji Minna and in the process of effecting arrest, one Bello Mai-Danger obstructed and attacked the Police team with a knife and cutlass,” he said.
“The suspect inflicted an injury on one of the police team members, consequently he was neutralised and one other arrested,” Abiodun added.
It was gathered that while others at the drug joint fled upon sighting the security operatives, Bello remained at the scene and launched an attack on the officers.
Meanwhile, SaharaReporters had reported in March this year how an unidentified Nigerian police officer, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, has shot and killed a man identified as Sani in the Angwan-Kaje area of Maitumbi, Minna, Chanchaga Local Government Area of Niger State.
SaharaReporters learnt that the victim was unarmed and posed no threat when the officer opened fire.
The incident allegedly occurred around 3am on Monday.
Witnesses reported that Sani was in the area when the officer, said to be intoxicated, began shooting recklessly. A tea seller known as Mai Shayi was also targeted but managed to escape.
“The officer shot him unlawfully while he was sleeping. He attempted to shoot another person called Mai Shayi, but he ran and escaped. Bullet shells were found at the scene,” a source said.
Another source described the deceased as a peaceful individual with no ties to criminal groups.
“We knew him. He was not arrogant and he did not belong to any ‘Yan daba’ group. He was a good person,” the source added.
