From Beatrice GONDYI, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Police Command has disassociated itself from a purportedly mischievous video clip in circulation in the social media, alleging that the police in Dambam local government is the mastermind of a robbery attack that occurred along Kano- Maiduguri road, where some motorists were robbed of their belongings.
The video according to the police showed a police patrol vehicle belonging to the Danbam police division of the command, carrying victims of armed robbery attack, mainly women and children.
According to a press release issued by the acting State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Umar Magaji on behalf of the command and made available to newsmen in Bauchi, the allegation is not only false but misleading and a calculated attempt by mischief makers to incite the public against the police.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to set the record straight, on the 18 February 2020, at about 0300hrs, a report was received by the Dambam police division that a group of armed robbers numbering about nine, blocked Kano-Maiduguri highway at a location near Bam village, Dambam local government, robbing innocent motorists of their belongings”
“On receiving the report, the police patrol team was promptly mobilised the area, however on sighting the police, the robbers took to their heels to the bush, leaving some robbers passengers on board of a Sharon motor Vehicle with registration number XA300 ABS Kano, driven by one Umar Mohammed from Ambursa in Kebbi State, heading to Maiduguri, Borno State” The statement read
The police aid that consequently, when the team came back to the scene of the attack, they met some angry drivers who accused them of being responsible for the robbery, adding that the victims could not refute the allegation as they were traumatised as clearly shown in the video.
“On reaching the village head house, the victims who now felt safe informed the gathering that it was not the police that robbed them. They said the police came to their rescue and chased the robbers into the bush. This statements by the victims doused the tension and put the situation under control, only for the command to see the viral video on the social media” The statement added.
While urging members of the public to disregard the video as it is unfounded, the statement said that the Police Commissioner, CP Philip Macu has directed a discreet investigation into the armed robbery incident and the purported video clip as findings will be available to the public.
