CRIME
Kidnapped Plateau Council Boss Regains Freedom as Bandits Strike at Mining Site.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka has disclosed that the Chairman of Kanke LGA, Hon. Henry Jan Gotip, who was kidnapped on Wednesday by unknown gunmen has been released unhurt.
He said the Chairman was since reunited with his family and will soon be debriefed by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command to build up available intelligence that will lead to the arrest of his abductors.
Onyeka through the Command’s Public Relations Officer DSP Alfred Alabo made this known in a press statement signed and made available to Journalists Thursday in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
The statement reads in part: “The Plateau State Police Command wishes to inform members of the public that Hon. Henry Jan Gotip, the Executive Chairman of Kanke LGA who was kidnapped on 06/09/2022 by unknown gunmen, has been released by his abductors unhurt yesterday, 07/09/2022 at about 2300hrs.
“The Kanke Local Government Council Chairman has been reunited with his family and will soon be debriefed by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command to build up to available intelligence that will lead to the arrest of his abductors.”
In a related development, Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, a Lawyer of the
Emancipation Centre for Crisis Victims in Nigeria (ECCVN) has disclosed that gunmen suspected to be Fulani militias have attacked a mining site at Ruku village of Barkin-Ladi, where three women were said to have sustained major injuries from gunshots.
“Armed men suspected to be Fulani militias attacked a mining site at Ruku village of Gashish District, Barkin Ladi LGA at about 10:45pm of 7th September, 2022. As a result, 3 women namely, Rose Bitrus age 41, Polina Mathew aged 43, and Grace Pam age 42 have been confirmed injured fatally from gunshots”, he said.
Mwantiri maintained that a local source recount their ordeals to the Centre thus, “the attack became a confirmation on security early warning given last week that the site will be invaded by Fulani militias, buy the victims took the information for granted,” he said.
One of the survivor further narrated “were it not that most of the miners gave heed to the early warning that made them vacate the site every evening time. It would have been very devastating, that’s why the incident could not affect many people even though injuries were sustained.”
Security agents were alerted on the attack and personnel of Operation Safe Haven(OPSH) stationed at Tenti swung into action and curtailed further casualty with victims rushed to Barkin Ladi General Hospital, where they were receiving medical attention.
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.