By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Borno State Police Command has arrested 78 suspects for various crimes and homicides in Maiduguri city and its environs.
CP Yusuf Mohammed Lawal stated this on Tuesday while parading the suspects before newsmen at Command’s Headquarters in Maidugiri.
CP Mohammed also highlighted tge achievements made from the rolled out work plan for policing excellence which encompasses proactive crime prevention strategies and community engagement.
He added that the command towards the realization of this objective has taken bold step to checkmate youths’ involvements in violent crime and anti-social behaviors.
He said,” In line with the above, Joint raids were carried out at vulnerable points and hotspots including uncompleted buildings within the metropolis and neighborhood around Yannono, Abuja Sheraton, Njimtilo, Bayan Quarters, Galadima, Kasuwan shanu, Santiago, Bayan Texaco, Koren Tanki, Tashan Bama, London Ciki, Tudun Wada, Tashan Kano, and Borno Express.”
“Seventy eight (78) suspects were arrested including a wanted criminal involved in a suspected case of Culpable Homicide which was reported on 13th May, 2023 at Dala Bulumkutu area. Exhibits recovered in possession of the suspects at the various locations include dangerous weapons such as knives, cutlasses, machetes and axes, while others were found with illicit substances such as weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, bottles of “Suck and Die”, “Rubber solutions”, Tramadol and Exol tablets.
“To ensure transparent investigation and diligent prosecution, the Command has centralized the process of investigation and prosecution of the suspects at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID),” CP Lawal said.
The Commissioner further explained that on the 22/07/2023 at about 1600hrs a syndicate of young women who specialized in shop breaking and theft were arrested, namely; Fatima Mohammed ‘F’ aged 19yrs old, Fatima Ali ‘f’ aged 21yrs old, Khadija Musa ‘f’ aged 20yrs old and Maryam Garba ‘f’ aged 19yrs old all of Dala area Maiduguri.
According to him, they were arrested by police patrol team in possession of provisions and food stuffs suspected to have been stolen from two shops located at Ngomari Airport area Maiduguri; one carton of maggi, one packet of spaghetti, one and half jerican of groundnut oil and one mosquito net.
Others include two cartons of Go-fresh drinks, two boxes of safety matches, two measures of flour, spices, one packet of mosquito coil while one bag of semovita belonging to one Mohammed Adam and Adamu Umaru both of Ngomari airport Area Maiduguri.
He added that the young women went to the shops in flown gowns (HIJJAB) pretending to purchase some items, while one of them was pricing the goods, others were busy shoplifting and concealing the stolen items underneath their gown which they loaded in a waiting tricycle, ridden by their male conspirator, Adamu Shettima ‘m’ 25yrs.
CP Lawal said the suspects were intercepted by Police patrol team. During preliminary investigation, all the suspects confessed to the crimes and all the exhibits were recovered, the tricycle used for the conveyance of the goods was impounded and the rider confessed being their accomplices while the suspects will be charged to court after investigation for prosecution.
He also said that on the 22/07/2023 at about 1700hrs based on distress call, Police surveillance/ patrol team intercepted a group of hoodlums as syndicates who specialised in handset snatching snatched Infinix Hot 8 phone valued about N160,000 from one Mohammed Umar ‘m’ around GSM Market Bulumkutu, Maiduguri and zoomed off in a Keke Napep tricycle with Body No. BUK 400.
The syndicate operated in and around the metropolis using KEKE NAPEP TRICYCLES to commit their criminal act when the Police surveillance patrol team gave a hot pursuit and arrested the following suspects identified as; one Mohammed A Mohammed, ’m’ 20yrs,Adam Abubakar’m’20yrs, Umaru Zubairu ‘m’ 19yrs,Bukar Ali ’m’ 21yrs, and Goni Suleiman ’m’ 23yrs all of Ngomari Airport area, Maiduguri.
“The stolen handset was recovered in their possession; the tricycle used in the perpetration of the crime was also recovered to ITE Police Division. Cases transferred to State CID for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
” While on 23/07/2023 at about 1627hrs a group of hoodlums committed culpable homicide when they attacked F/No. 521281 PC Babagana Mala attached to Police crack unit and deployed to FOB at Malari village, Konduga LGA along Artillery area, Maiduguri.
The Police Constable who came home on permission, was stabbed with a sharp object on his back by his assailants. On receipt of distress, the Police patrol team responded and rescued the victim to Maiduguri specialist hospital for treatment where he was later certified dead.
CP Lawal said Police undercover operatives obtained a video clip of the incident from a good Samaritan which led to the arrest of the following suspects identified as one Usman Audu ‘M’ aged 20yrs old, Hauwa Usman ‘f’ aged 20yrs, Aisha Musa ‘f’ 19yrs, Abba Bala ‘m’ 20yrs and Sunday Garba ‘m’ 21yrs,.
Others include David Paul ‘m’ 35yrs, Mohammed Abubakar ‘m’ 19yrs, Jude Eze ‘m’ 37yrs, Amaechi Abdulsalam Afochibe ‘m’ 37yrs and Nduibuse Nnaji ‘m’ 34yrs. The Case has been transferred to State CID for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police however advised parents to always show keen interest on the type of friends and peer group, their children/wards are associating with who may have negative influence on them.
He also appealed to religious leaders, community elders and other relevant stakeholders to give the Police timely information on the activities of unpatriotic elements and suspected peddlers of drugs and other illicit substances who hibernate in their neighborhoods.
He also assured that the Command would remain resolute and committed in checkmating acts of lawlessness and excesses of youths while calling on law abiding citizens who have any useful information on criminal elements in their environs that their identity will be fully protected.
The CP further urged the general public to avail themselves of the Nigeria police Rescue -me Apps which can be downloaded on Google Playstore and GSM No. 08130579204.
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