Gombe State Police Command has said it arrested 16 suspects in connection with a range of offenses across the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Usman, made this known while providing updates on the operations conducted by the command, through the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Muazu Abubakar.
He identified the suspects arrested to include Yahaya Abdulkadir and Shuaibu Ahmadu, who were apprehended for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, and possession of suspected stolen property.
The police spokesperson said the arrest followed a report of robbery and assault made at Gombe Division by one Yahaya Garba on 8/02/2024 at about 1230hrs that he was robbed of his Bajaj motorcycle.
Police detectives swiftly responded, leading to the recovery of stolen property, including three motorcycles, from the suspects’ residences.
Musa Hussaini, Usman Haruna, Adamu Munkaila, and Abdulmalik Mohd were also arrested for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.
It was said that the suspects allegedly trespassed into a victim’s house and robbed him of valuable items, prompting their arrest and the recovery of the stolen goods.
In another operation targeting suspected drug-related offenses, Mohammed Garba was arrested for possession of suspected hard drugs.
Mahid explained that the police recovered wraps of dry leaves and tablets suspected to be Indian hemp and hard drugs during the targeted operation in Jibulu quarters, Kumo.
“For possession of suspected hard drugs, one Mohammed Garba was arrested on 12/02/ 2024 for being in possession of dry leaves and suspected hard drugs following a targeted operation in Jibulu quarters, Kumo during which wraps of dry leaves and tablets suspected to be Indian hemp and hard drugs, respectively, were recovered from him.
“Exhibits recovered included 88 wraps of dry leaves (suspected to be Indian hemp) and 110 tablets (suspected to be hard drugs),” he stated.
The PPRO said that more suspects were arrested in connection with culpable homicide cases.
Dangunde Abba, Abdulsalam Shehu, and Abdulmalik Garba were arrested for allegedly inflicting fatal injuries on a victim during a fight.
Usman Abubakar and Muhammad Buhari alias Tulu were apprehended separately in connection with other culpable homicide cases.
“The victim was rushed to hospital and died while receiving treatment, just as detectives from Deba division launched a full-blown investigation and it was revealed that the victim was an alleged drug dealer while the suspects were his customers and a fight ensued after altercations between them.
“The case is still under investigation and will be charged to court upon the completion of investigations. Mahid added.
The police spokesperson ssid, “for culpable homicide, the command arrested Usman Abubakar, 25 years old, of Zukul village, in Dukku, on 6/02/2024 at about 530hrs, one Alhaji Bukar Mohammed of Zangomari village via Akko, reported at the station that on the same date, about 0200pm, the above mentioned suspect attacked one Umar Sanda while rearing his cattle at Zukkulu Village, that led to his death, as certified by medical doctor.
“Also, for culpable homicide, Muhammad Buhari alias Tulu, 18 years of Nassarawo quarters in Gombe arrested on 12 of September 2023 when he stabbed one Haruna Adamu, 23 years old of Nasarawo quarters with a knife and was taken to hospital and confirmed dead by a medical doctor.
“Investigation led to the trailing and arresting of the above-mentioned suspect on 09/02/2024 after five months of being hidden through the use of community policing and digital strategy.
“Arrested for impersonation, conspiracy and having dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were 32-year-old David Ochuko of Madaki quarters Gombe and Jibril Sani, 27 years old, of Guyuk LGA Adamawa State
“That on 07/02/2024 at about 1900hrs the above-mentioned suspects were arrested with 6 blocks of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp inside the said Ochuko’s Toyota Camry car. They were arrested along Dasa village of Dadin Kowa.
“Yayaji Muhammad, 24 years old, and Muhammad Tukur Barau, 20 years old, all of Kurungu Village in Kwami were on 08/02/2024 at about 1400hrs, a complaint was received via Malam Jauro at Bajoga Division that on the 07/02/2024 at about 1419hrs, the above-mentioned suspects conspired among themselves attacked and threatened his daughter in a farm, (name withheld), 13 years of the same address, the suspects forcefully had carnal knowledge with her one after another, the case is under investigation.
“Also, for the theft of a DAF trailer truck, the command arrested Ibrahim Yunusa and Babangida Idris following a report on 8 /02/ 2024 at about 0200hrs by one Monday Okoye at Gombe Divisional Police Headquarters.
“He reported that his DAF trailer truck was stolen by an unknown person, on 07/02/2024 at about 10 p.m. On receipt of the complaints, police operatives swiftly responded and recovered the stolen truck along Biu Road, while in the process of investigation, Ibrahim Yunusa and Babangida Idris were apprehended in connection with the theft.
“The Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner CP Hayatu Usman, remains committed to upholding law and order and commended the dedication of its officers, urging the public to continue providing vital information to aid in the fight against crime.“