Police arrest 98 suspected phone snatchers in Kaduna
Story from Ibraheem Hamza MUHAMMAD, Lafia
Ninety-eight armed phone snatchers have been arrested in Kaduna, according to Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs in Kaduna State.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai demanded an aggressive action against the criminals involved in urban gangsterism, known as ‘Sara-Suka’ in Kaduna metropolis.
The suspects had been attacking citizens and snatching their mobile phones and other belongings, resulting in loss of several lives and severe injuries inflicted on innocent citizens.
The Kaduna State Police Command arrested 98 suspects between the 26th and 28th of April 2023, of which 19 have been charged to court.
Sixty-one are still undergoing investigation at various divisions within the Kaduna Metropolis, and 18 have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation ahead of prosecution.
Several exhibits, including snatched mobile phones, sharp knives, sharp scissors, cudgels, dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp, assorted hard drugs and accessories to aid their consumption, masters keys and other valuables were recovered from the suspects.
The Governor directed that the manhunt for those at large should be intensified until they are all brought to justice.
He condoled families that lost their loved ones and wished the injured speedy recovery.
He further allayed their fears of any possible compromise of the cases, stating that the Kaduna State Government has an effective mechanism in place through the Ministry of Justice to ensure a thorough and scrupulous process.
Finally, the Governor called on members of communities such as Rigasa, Kawo, Ungwan Muazu, Badarawa, Kwaru, Rigachikun, Barnawa, Ungwan Rimi, Trikania, Nasarawa, Makera, Sabon Tasha, Narayi, Rafin Guza, Tudun Wada, and other locations to provide the names of suspected gang members in their localities for follow-up action by security agencies.
According to Samuel Aruwan, relevant information may be forwarded to the Security Operations Room on the phone lines 09034000060 and 08170189999.