CRIME
Bauchi Police Arrest Governor Bala’s Impersonator
From Mohammed Muktar Umar, Bauchi
The Bauchi state police command said it has arrested a suspected criminal who specializes in duping unsuspecting members of the public of millions of naira claiming to be the Governor of Bauchi state, senator Bala Mohammed.
The police Commissioner who stated this while briefing newsmen in his office on Monday, explained that the impersonator of the Governor had defrauded innocent members of the public of N37 million in the name of payment for hajj pilgrimage.
“One of the suspects by name Sukni Zakka acted as the personal assistant (PA) to the governor while the other, Iliyasu Ibrahim alias “Du” acted as the governor during phone conversation”, the CP informed.
Adding that, “the impostor PA usually lured his unsuspecting victims and defrauds them by putting a call to the impostor governor which in return answered the call and assured them a Hajj slot.”.
Habu Sani further revealed that more than 180 other suspects were also nabbed within the period under review in connection with various crimes in the state.
He said that the press briefing was to update members of the public on the command’s achievements in the ongoing fight against crime and criminality under the special operation code named “Operation Puff Adder”.
“So far, the Command’s tactical teams attached to Operation Puff Adder have between the months of August and September, 2019 arrested one hundred and eighty five (185) suspects in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, Babeli activities, vandalism and theft of electric cable.” The CP said.
Other offences he said include; dealing with counterfeit currency, cultivation of weeds suspected to be cannabis/ Indian hemp, criminally changing IMEI numbers of stolen/robbed cell phones and other heinous crimes in Bauchi state.
CP Sani explained that out of the arrested suspects, 138 have been charged to court while others were in police custody undergoing investigation after which they will be charged to court.
Some of the suspects in the police net according to the CP were two suspects responsible for many robbery cases including the recent attempted armed robbery at Shafa filling station along Bauchi- Jos road.
Out of 185 suspects arrested, 138 were charged to court, while 47 are still in the Command custody undergoing investigation.
Exhibits recovered by the police, the CP said include; four AK-47 rifles, one pistol, One locally made sub machine gun and seventeen other assorted firearms.
Other exhibits according to CP Sani are; Sixty five live ammunition, five cartridges, Six pellets, fourty two machetes, four motor vehicles, Eight motorcycles, One tricycle (KEKE NAPEP), Forty five thousand 45,000 liters of petroleum products and Nine thousand meters of aluminum conductor valued at about three million and five hundred thousand naira.
He further said twenty six International Passports, application forms into Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, bunch of assorted charms, One hundred and fifty two pieces of 100 note counterfeits US Dollars and 43 pieces of 1000 & 500 note counterfeits Nigerian Naira, two hundred and eight 208 cows and 21 sheep, amongst other exhibits.
The Police Commissioner called on the members of the public to support and cooperate with the command in its on-going fight against crime and criminality in the State, assuring that the police would not relent in performing its statutory duties.
CRIME
Police Detain 2 Suspects, Recover 25 Stolen Phones in Borno
The Nigerian Police Command in Borno has apprehended two suspects and recovered 25 stolen mobile phones during a stop-and-search operation along Damboa Road, in Maiduguri.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Daso explained that the suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubako, and Ibrahim Mohammed, were intercepted by the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) on Dec.
10 while riding a tricycle.He said that during the search, the operatives uncovered various mobile phones reportedly stolen from individuals across communities and villages along the Borno -Adamawa State border.
He identified some of the communities as Mubi, Tashan Alade, Miringa, Kwaya Kusar, and Biu Local Government Area of the state.
The spokesman said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to snatching the phones from their victims.
“The police have initiated efforts to return the recovered devices with their rightful owner.
“Also, the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” he said.
Daso reiterated the commitment of the Police Commissioner in the state, Yusufu Lawal, to maintain public safety during the Yuletide season. (NAN)
CRIME
Niger Police Command Arrests Three Suspects over Assault on Council Boss
From Dan Amasingha, Minna
Days after the Chairman of Katcha local government area of Niger State, Danlami Abdullahi Saku was assaulted and seriously injured over his inability to settle a campaign loan he obtained, the State Police Command said three suspects were now in their custody over the incident.
Niger State Police Command Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun in a release on Wednesday said On 16/06/2024 at about 1800hrs, information was received at Katcha Div that the Chairman Katcha LGA Hon.
Danlami Abdullahi Saku was attacked by some miscreants along Saku-Gadza village after the Sallah prayer at his village Saku, Katcha LGA.According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the attack was allegedly reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and one Yanda of the same area.
He noted that the Chairman sustained serious injury during the attack and he was taken to Gen. Hospital Bida, and later referred to another hospital for further treatment.
A preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Div and three suspects were later identified, apprehended and transferred to Bida Area Command.
The suspects arrested are; Alh. Abdullahi Kasimu 68yrs of Gadza village, Katcha, Alh. Baba Moh’d 30yrs of the same village and Ahmadu Moh’d 25yrs.
The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21st for discreet investigation and prosecution.
“During interrogation, Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira since August, 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.
“He further said that on June 16th, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Moh’d, his in-law Alh. Baba Moh’d among others accosted the Chairman, had an altercation and inflicted serious injuries on the victims”
The State Police Command acknowledged that the victim was about to transfer the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.
However, the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large, and they will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations.
CRIME
Chief Imam’s Sallah Ram Stolen in Jos
There was a drama as the sacrificial ram of the Chief Imam of the Mista Ali community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Imam Abdulkadir went missing on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
Abdulkadir’s ram was reportedly stolen during a downpour in the area on the eve of the Ed-el-Kabir.
An Imam in the community, Haruna Yaqub, disclosed this during the sermon, shortly after the two Raka’at prayers.
Yaqub, who condemned the incident, described it as “insensitive”.
He added that the act showed that people lack fear for God.
The Imam said, “The Ram of our Chief Imam, which he purposely brought to sacrifice, has been stolen in the night.
We are really shocked by the incident. We were surprised to hear this story. This means that people are not God-fearing.“It is scary that people have gone to the extent of stealing ram meant for religious activity.”
Speaking further, he urged people to be God-fearing and not engage in either stealing or any act of criminality.
He stressed that everyone will account for their actions on earth and hereafter.
“It is high time people repented and took the path of Allah. It is not too late. People should stop committing bad things and act according to Allah’s commandments,” he urged.