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Olabode Adaramola
Niger state Police Command has said that within the last two weeks, it has arrested 70 suspects over offences ranging from cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed robbery and culpable homicide in the last two weeks ,while about 457 cattle were ala so recovered in the period under review.
This was contained in a Press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Deputy Superiterindent of Police, Bala Elkana , a copy of which was: obtained by the National Wire on Friday in Minna, highlighting further that the arrests of the suspects and recovery of the the live stocks was following the massive onslaught on bandits in parts of the state by the Command .
According to the release , ‘on Tuesday February 13, 2017, at about 0930hrs, based on credible intelligence, the Command’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad trailed and arrested seven notorious armed robbers and kidnappers terrorizing Minna and its environs’.
‘The suspects include: one Abubakar Mohammed, Mohammed Lawal, Lawali Usman, Shehu Taye, Sule Ado, Weti Adamu and Abubakar Sherif ( all males)at opposite Imani Hospital Minna.
They were arrested in their criminal hideout opposite Imani Hospital Minna. One AK-47 rifle with 59 rounds of live ammunition and other dangerous weapons were recovered from the suspects while the case is still under investigation at the Criminals Investigations & Intelligence Department, (SCIID) state Command Headquarters, Minna’.
In a related operation, Bala Elkana stated further that same day, (13/2/2017 ) at about 16:45hrs, (4:45 pm Nigerian time) on the strength of information, the command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping Team arrested three notorious kidnappers and cattle rustlers in a criminal hideout at Kontagora Local Government of the state
“And they are namely, Mohammed Nura, Na’a Aminu and Ahmadu Mohammed all from Zamfara State. One AK-47 rifle with 81 rounds of live ammunition, two magazines and 44 cows were recovered and the case is also under investigation.
“Also, the previous day, 12/02/2017 at about 14:30hrs, following a tip off, Police smashed a notorious kidnappers syndicate operating in Bangi, area, Mariga Local Government of the state.
Three suspects were arrested. One AK 47 rifle with 25 rounds of live ammunition and two motorcycles were recovered and the case has been charged to Court”, said Bala Elkana.
The release stated further, that on Monday February 13, 2017, at about 15:00hrs, based on credible intelligence, Police Operatives trailed and arrested one Samaila Sule and Bako Ayuba all ‘m’ of Amale village, in Paikoro Local Government Area of the state.
It however added that Police investigation further revealed that the said Samaila Sule uses his Golf Car to convey arms to armed bandits operating in Kaffin koro and Kateri forests, in Niger and Kaduna States, while the second suspect, Bako Ayuba, equally serves as informant to the criminals, adding that the case is still being investigated by the Police Operatives at the Command.
Accordingly, DSP Bala Elkana noted that on Friday, February 10, 2017, at about 2045hrs, that following a tip off, the Command’s Anti-kidnapping Team raided a criminal hideout at Zungeru forest in Wushishi Local Government of the state, after which one Fatima Ardo and Hajara Ardo who were said to have been kidnapped while returning home from Tegina market, in Rafi Local Government of the state were rescued unhurt.
He said the two suspects were arrested and promptly charged to Court, stressing that last Thursday, at about 1645hrs, on the strength of information, the command’s Anti-kidnapping Team raided Dan-Mayam forest in Rafi Local Government and rescued one Habiba Yahaya and Fa’iza Usman who were kidnapped recently.
Speaking further, the Command’s Image Maker, said that three suspects were arrested and charged to Court in connection with the cade while the victims were re-united with their parents.
In another development, the release stated that on February 9, 2017, at about 10:15hrs, following a distress call from Kurebe village, Bassa Police Special Force deployed at Bassa who were attached to Shiroro Divisional Police Headquarters pursued and intercepted a gang of cattle rustlers.
And during the gun duel between the police and the armed bandits, the bandits feel to the superior gun fire of the police as two of the cattle rustlers were fatally injured while 217 Cows, and 26 Sheep were recovered.
Furthermore, the release stated that on 12/2/2017 at about 0800hrs, on the strength of information, a team of policemen in conjunction with the Military personnel arrested two suspects, namely Suleiman Idris and Danladi Adamu , of Lapai Local Government of the state for culpable homicide.
It was further learnt that the suspects were alleged to have conspired with one Abdullahi Yunusa ‘m’ of Ebbo village and killed one Umar Lawal Kano, while the suspects were also alleged to have snatched the sum of N4million from the victim before killing him, adding that the case is presently under investigation by the police. .
In another development, the release stayed further that last Thursday at about 0745hrs, following a tip-off , a team of policemen intercepted cattle rustlers at Zuzzugi, Maiwayo and Gunjelu via Kateregi, in Katcha Local Government of the state, highlighting further that during the operation, one of the cattle rustlers was fatally injured and his accomplice in crime, Suleiman Babangida was arrested., while 70 cows were said to have been recovered from the suspects and the recovered Cows were handed over to their rightful owners and the case was charged to Court.
Accordingly, DSp, Bala Elkana said, ‘on 16/2/2017 at about 1845hrs, a team of Policemen on patrol arrested one Buhari Bello at Garatu village in Bosso Local Government of the state, with a Revolver Pistol and 6 rounds of live ammunition.
He stated further ‘that the suspect was believed to be a member of the gang of armed bandits terrorizing Garatu axis of the Council areas, while the case is still being investigated by the police, after which the suspect would be charged to Court at the conclusion of the police investigation.
Meanwhile, DSP Bala Elkana has further said, that on 13/2/2017 at about 2145hrs, information from reliable source revealed that cattle rustlers numbering about twenty (20) invaded Shakam village and went away with hundred (100) cows. The command’s special Anti-Robbery squad intercepted the cattle rustlers and engaged them in a gun battle. Three suspects were fatally injured while the cows were recovered and handed over to the owner”.
Similarly, he said, “On 10/2/2017 at about 1230hrs, on the strength of information, the Command smashed a gang of armed robbers who specialized in snatching motorcycles from commercial operators. Two suspects namely, Ibrahim Salisu and Danlami Dantani all ‘m’ of Jita village, Paiko LGA were arrested. One stolen Bajaj Motorcycle was recovered. The suspects were charged to court for prosecution”.
