Recent police crime-fighting exploits in Yobe, environs
Story from Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
In its efforts toward combating crimes and criminality, the Yobe State Police Command has recorded another milestone in the arrest of suspects, two soldiers, in a case of armed robbery and homicide.
On 19th August 2022 detectives from Karasuwa Divisional Police Headquarters in response to a distress call apprehended N/A13/69/1522 Lance Corporal John Gabriel and N/A13/70/6552 Lance Corporal Adamu Gideon both attached to 241 RECCE Battalion, Nguru.
One of the assailants, L/CPL John Gabriel, whose intention was to rob unsuspecting motorists of their vehicle left the barrack on that date in mufti having concealed his rifle in a camp bed at a military checkpoint in Nguru at about 2200hrs.
Meanwhile, One Sheik Goni Aisami, a prominent Islamic scholar based in Gashua who was travelling alone from Kano to Gashua in his Honda Accord with Reg. No KBT 31 AE arrived at the military checkpoint at Nguru and L/CPL John Gabriel requested the Islamic cleric to offer him a lift to Jaji Maji which he obliged.
Before reaching Jaji-Maji town as he was driving, the assailant asked him to park on the ground that there was an unusual noise at the rear tyre.
Unsuspecting, the cleric came down, and while checking the tyre, the suspect brought out his rifle, shot and killed him.
He dragged the body and hid it in the bush.
The suspect took possession of the vehicle intending to take it away but the vehicle refused to start after several attempts.
The suspect called his accomplice L/CPL Adamu Gideon from 241 RECCE Battalion Nguru and an auto-electrician from Jaji Maji to assist in starting the car.
However, nemesis caught up with the culprits when a passerby going to his farm early in the morning sighted a corpse, a vehicle and some people then alerted the police from Jaji who promptly mobilised and raced down to the scene.
This led to the arrest of the two soldiers and the recovery of the corpse, the deceased vehicle and the rifle used in the attack.
In addition, a Volkswagen Sharon bus found at the scene of the crime was also recovered.
In the course of an investigation, the culprits confessed to the crime. An investigation is still ongoing as the suspects are in police custody and as soon as the investigation is concluded they will be charged to court.
In another development, on 14th August 2022 the Command bust a kidnapping syndicate and arrested the kingpin who had been terrorising communities in some parts of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
Police detectives from Crack Squad Damaturu, acting on credible and actionable intelligence, trailed and arrested Jobdi Muhammadu, aged 42 years, a Nomadic Herder while planning for an operation to kidnap someone from the Buni Yadi community of Gujba Local Government Area of the state.
At the time of the arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a loaded AK47 rifle.
However, efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
In addition, detectives from Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters arrested two robbery suspects who specialise in burglary and breaking into people’s houses and vehicles.
The modus operandi of these hoodlums is to hibernate in the market and banks and watch customers who withdraw a large sum of money in order to trail and burgle the vehicle.
A case in point is that of 19th August 2022. At about 1400hrs, one Abdul Ibrahim of Damboa went to Access Bank in Potiskum and withdrew a large sum of money.
The suspects, namely Yahaya Sunusi, aged 48 years, and Mohammed Musa, aged 47 years, all from Kano State trailed the said Abdul after leaving the bank.
The suspects broke into the car and stole the sum of N1,200,000.00. The suspects were promptly arrested by the police and the money was recovered. They will be charged to court after investigation.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Haruna G. Garba, commiserated with the family of the deceased, Sheikh Goni Aisami, and appreciated the cooperation and support of the state government in ensuring the security and safety of lives and properties in the state.
He nevertheless urged citizens to continue to support the command by providing useful and credible information at all times.
