By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
The Nasarawa State Police Commissioner, Maiyaki Muhammed Baba on Monday at a press conference in Lafia, presented the achievements of the Command in the new year 2023 as at January 30.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Nansel Ramhan.
In Summary, the Police Commissioner said that within the period, number of suspected kidnappers arrested were 7, number of armed robbery suspects arrested were 16 while number of suspected motorcycle snatchers arrested were 2.
Also, number of suspected cow thieves arrested were 3, number of vehicles recovered were 4 while number of recovered fire arms were 3.
A total number of suspects arrested were 28.
CP Baba said that the media parley was an opportunity to intimate members of the general public of the sustained effort and commitment of the Nasarawa State Police Command towards actualization of a crime free State.
Here’s a full text of the Commissioner’s speech:
Below are the details of some major achievements of the State Police Command recorded in the month of January, 2023.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS AND RECOVERY OF FIRE ARMS
On 12/01/2023 at about 1650hrs, acting based on a tip off, Police operatives attached to Assakio Division raided a suspected kidnappers hide out located at Kiguna Village, Lafia East Development Area.
The following suspects were arrested namely: Adamu Mohammed 20years, Musa Ibrahim AKA IBB 20years, Bashiru Anaruwa 19years and Hamisu Tanko 20years all of Kiguna Village, one locally fabricated AK 47 Rifle was recovered from the suspects as exhibit.
A follow up investigation by the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit, led to the arrest of two more suspects namely: Salisu Abdullahi Bunu 30years and Abdullahi Haruna 35years where one locally fabricated Pistol and one live cartridge were recovered from the suspects as exhibit.
The suspects have confessed to be the syndicate terrorizing Assakio-Sabon gida road, where they Kidnap people for ransom.
In the same vein, on 13/01/2023 at about 14:50 hours, Police operatives led by the Divisional Police officer Assakio Division, SP Ekoja Elaigwu acting based on actionable Intelligence arrested one Idris Dahiru ‘M’ 33 years of Jibiyel, village, Lafia East Development Area of the State.
Preliminary Investigation revealed that, the suspect led four other members of his gang to a farm settlement where they kidnapped two herders; unknown to them that, someone saw and recognized them.
Upon getting the information about the arrest of their gang leader, the victims were hurriedly released by their abductors.
The suspect has made useful statement and is assisting the Police in the course of the Investigation.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
On 17/01/2023 at about 01:45hours, Police operatives attached to Goshen City Division while on routine patrol intercepted a group of suspected criminals at Auta- Balefi while trying to tow their broken down operational vehicle.
Preliminary Investigation revealed that, the criminal gangs of twelve persons carryout their operation using a Volkswagen Sharon and a Toyota Siena vehicle and go about breaking into people’s houses and shops or attack drivers of broken down vehicles Hauling goods in order to cart away the items they are conveying.
Nemesis caught up with the criminals after they carried out a successful operation and fled the scene; luck ran out of them when one of the vehicles had developed a mechanical fault; in the process of towing it, the Police swooped in on them.
Consequently, the following suspects were arrested: Abdullahi Hakimi 46years, Sani Ibrahim 22years, Buhari Abdullahi 29years, Musa Ibrahim 31years, Sani Mohammed 21years, Bello Usman 34years, Abba Ibrahim 40years, Tasiu Abdullahi 30years, Isah Isah 35years, Bello Auwal 27years, Safiulayi Dabo 21years and Nasiru Awalu 20years.
Two vehicles and three cartons of vehicles shoe brake or brake pads were recovered from the suspects as exhibit.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF FIERARM
On 19/01/2023 at about 15:30hours, while acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau attached to Awe Division arrested the duo of Buba Alhaji and Rabiu Abdullahi Mohammed both males of Akote Village, Awe LGA; where one locally made gun and one cartridge were recovered as exhibit.
Preliminary Investigation revealed that, the suspects had on 10/01/2023 at about 19:00hours, blocked Pantaki-Burkunu road in Awe, attacked and dispossessed one Dahiru Wakili of his Honda motorcycle, one Infinix Hot 10 mobile Phone and cash sum of two thousand naira, only.
The Suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and will be charged to court upon conclusion of Investigation.
Similarly, on 14/01/2023 at about 03:30hourrs, Police operatives attached to Nasarawa Eggon Division while on aggressive patrol on Lafia-Akwanga highway sighted a road block mounted by suspected armed robbers who took to flight upon noticing Police presence; but were given a hot chase.
Consequently, the duo of Haruna Audi ‘M’ 18years and Abdukareem Audi ‘M’ 21years were arrested while others escaped.
The suspects confessed to being members of a criminal gang of five persons responsible for kidnapping and dispossesing unsuspecting road users of their money and personal belongings.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED CATTLE THIEVES AND RECOVERY OF COWS
On 18/01/2023 at about 22:30hours, information was received that one Yunusa Salisu was seen at Adogi village of Lafia LGA with three cows suspected to have been stolen.
Acting based on the strength of the information, operatives of the Command’s Anti-cultism unit raced to the scene, got the suspect arrested and recovered the cows.
Further investigation led to the arrest of his accomplices namely: Abubakar Mohammed and Umar Dahiru both males of Wasa village, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State.
The suspects confessed to have stolen the cows at a Fulani settlement in Andaha area of Akwanga LGA, Nasarawa State and brought them to Lafia to sell before luck ran out of them.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia. Upon conclusion the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
ARREST OF MOTORCYCLE SNATCHERS
On 13/01/2023 at about 22:55hours, a distress call was received that a commercial Motorcyclist was found lying helpless on the ground behind Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, suspected to have been drugged and his motorcycle taken away.
Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives of the Command swiftly swung into action and rushed the victim to the hospital where he was stabilized.
A painstaking Investigation was carried out which led to the arrest of one Ahmed Shaibu in connection to the case, where he confessed and mentioned the names of other members of the syndicate.
Preliminary Investigation revealed that the syndicate is based in Wase LGA of Plateau State and seldomly come into Nasarawa State to carry out their nefarious activities.
They lure commercial motorcyclists to a lonely location where their operational vehicle is parked under the guise of seeking their targets’ assistance in pushing the vehicle to start; in the process, the target is drugged and his motorcycle taken away from him.
Consequently, the investigation was expanded to Plateau State; where one Uzarfa Adamu was also arrested and their operational vehicles, a Peugeot 206, red in colour with registration number Abuja EC 450 ABJ and a Peugeot 406, ash in colour with registration number Lagos APP 345 AY were recovered as exhibits.
The suspects have made useful statements and will be charged to court upon conclusion of Investigation.
CONCLUSION:
I want to assert that, the State Command under my leadership will not relent but up its antics to audaciously clamp down on the criminals until they are subjugated.
We appeal to all the good people of Nasarawa State to count on us and avail us credible information that will help to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the State.