By Murjanatu Hamisu Yelwa
Yobe Police Arrest 240 Suspects Over Various Crimes Since July
The Yobe State Police Command has announced the arrest of 240 suspects in connection with various criminal activities recorded across the state since July.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, made this known on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters in Damaturu, where he highlighted the security situation and operational achievements of the Command.
Jibrin said the Command recorded 145 criminal cases during the period under review, comprising 16 cases of murder, nine rape cases, one kidnapping case, two extortion cases, five armed robbery cases and 112 cases involving other offences.
Giving an update on the status of the cases, the Commissioner said 198 had been concluded with convictions secured, while two cases resulted in acquittals. He explained that 26 cases were still before the courts, 10 were undergoing investigation and four case files were awaiting legal advice.
The Commissioner said the Command’s recent operations were driven by intelligence gathering, community cooperation and rapid response to criminal activities.
He disclosed that police operatives had intensified raids on known criminal hideouts and black spots in different parts of the state, leading to the apprehension of 171 suspected drug dealers and users.
According to him, the operations also resulted in the recovery of illicit substances, dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, other prohibited drugs and dangerous weapons.
The Command, he added, had also recorded successes in tackling armed robbery and other violent crimes. In one operation in Fika, a suspect was neutralised while another was arrested in connection with a separate incident.
Jibrin further disclosed that detectives arrested a suspect who allegedly travelled from Maiduguri to Yobe State with the intention of stealing vehicles after killing their owners.
In another case, the police arrested a suspect over alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds amounting to N77 million.
The Commissioner also reported the arrest of another individual accused of defrauding victims by presenting fake bank transfer alerts to obtain money and goods.
Similarly, a suspect was arrested after allegedly being found with four rolls of high-voltage electrical cables believed to have been stolen.
On cases involving threats and extortion, Jibrin said two suspects were apprehended after allegedly demanding and collecting a combined sum of N630,000 from two victims while threatening them with kidnapping.
He said the suspects made confessional statements during interrogation, adding that the Command had commenced the necessary legal process in the cases.
The Commissioner also spoke about the Command’s handling of sexual offences, particularly cases involving minors. He said suspects linked to such cases had been arrested and investigated, with prosecution being pursued in accordance with the law.
He equally disclosed that the Command had concluded investigations into separate cases of culpable homicide following the arrest of suspects and the collection of confessional statements where applicable.
According to him, the results recorded so far were made possible by the commitment of police personnel, improved intelligence led operations, prompt responses to incidents and collaboration with communities and other security agencies.
The Commissioner commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, and the Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, for their support to the State Command.
He also recognised the roles played by traditional institutions, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, journalists and residents in strengthening security across the state.
Jibrin particularly encouraged members of the public to continue sharing credible information with the police, noting that effective security requires cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
He assured residents that the Command would continue to strengthen its operations and intelligence gathering mechanisms to prevent crime, apprehend offenders and protect lives and property across Yobe State.
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