Nasarawa Police Commissioner, Maiyaki Baba
By Miriam Humbe, Abuja
The Nasarawa Police Command on Friday, briefed the press on the achievements recorded in curbing crime to secure the State.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, Ramhan Nansel made the briefing on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Maiyaki Baba.
The Police arrested 15 kidnap suspects, two armed robbery suspects, four suspected cultists, while nine others were arrested for sundry offences, totalling 30.
Two firearms and two ammunitions were recovered.
Suspects
Here’s a full text of the press briefing:
ARREST OF SUSPECTED CRIMINALS FOR ORGANISED CRIME:
On 07/07/2023 at about 11:28hrs, a complaint was lodged by some job seekers at ‘B’ Division Lafia, that they had been defrauded by officials of Quest International Company (QNet).
The firm is located along Kasuwan tomatoes road, Lafia without a sign post; was alleged to have defrauded about twenty (20) victims of sums ranging from five hundred thousand naira (#500,000) to six hundred and fifty thousand naira (#650,000) respectively.
The victims said they were called on the phone and promised jobs and food, accommodation with weekly bonus of $225.
On arrival, they were taken to a room to fill and sign some forms and thereafter made to pay sums ranging from #500,000 to #650,000 for training, international passport, Police report, Visa to travel abroad and opening of domiciliary account.
When nothing was forthcoming, they tried to recover their money but all proved abortive.
Upon receipt of the complaint, Police detectives swung into action and got the manager and six others arrested.
The suspects were named: Mbam Ikenna 28 years, Bello Aminu 20 years, Mono Peter 23 years, Nwoli Sunday 26 years, Abdullahi Mohammed 28 years, Sadam Gambo 25 years and Sadiku Tada 27 years all males from different parts of the country.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER:
0n 18/06/2023 at about 13:00 hours, sequel to complaint lodged at Awe Area Command, where a victim was called and threatened to pay the sum of one million and five hundred thousand naira (1,500.000) or risk being kidnapped and killed, Police detectives attached to Awe Area Command launched a diligent investigation where one Zakari Umar Alias Dan Wudil ‘M’ 28 years of Mahanga village, Awe LGA was arrested.
Investigation revealed that the suspect called his victim on phone and threatened him; due to fear of being kidnapped, the victim was coerced into paying the sum of one million, one hundred and fifty thousand naira to the suspect as ransom.
Upon arrest, he led Police operatives to a farm land where the sum of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira was exhumed and recovered as exhibit.
The suspect has confessed to the crime.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS:
On 13/07/2023 Police detectives attached to ‘A’ Division, Lafia arrested one Hamza Yususf ‘M’ 22 years of Layin yan Kaji, Lafia for kidnapping a five years old child.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have conspired with two others to carry out the act.
Furthermore, the suspect confessed to be responsible for the kidnapping of one Musbau Farouk ‘M’ 8 years, where they collected the sum of three hundred thousand naira (300,000) as ransom from the father before releasing the child.
Effort is on top gear to arrest other members of the syndicate still at large.
Similarly, on 18/06/2023 at about 1400hrs, Police operatives attached to Nasarawa Division arrested the duo of Idi Hassan and Haruna Umbe both of Nasarawa LGA.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects armed with sticks on 16/6/2023 at about 23:40 hours attacked a trader and his son riding on a motorcycle while returning from the shop.
The hoodlums whisked the 13 years old son of the trader to an unknown destination and thereafter called for ransom.
The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime.
Weapons and ammunition recovered
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARMS:
On 02/07/2023 at about 003 hours, Police operatives in collaboration with vigilante group arrested the duo of Timothy James 21 years and Simon Oliver 19 years both of Karkashi village, Lafia LGA where one Lugard (English made pistol), one locally fabricated pistol and two rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects as exhibit.
Investigation revealed that the suspects attacked a farmer in a bid to rob him but the victim raised alarm which attracted Police operatives that were on patrol in the area.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS:
On 19/06/2023 at about 12:00 hours, information was received that the residence of one Usman Abdullahi of Zahiro village, Keana LGA was invaded by suspected kidnappers where he was whisked away to unknown destination.
Upon receipt of the information, operatives of the Command’s Anti-kidnapping unit launched diligent investigation and got five suspects namely: Sani Waiti, Asuki Kachalabora, Adamu Saidu, Mohammadu Abacha and Ahmadu Abubabakar arrested in connection to the crime.
Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to have collected one Million naira before releasing the victim.
Similarly, follow up investigation into a reported case of kidnapping at Awe LGA where other members of the syndicate were arrested, arraigned in Court and remanded in a correctional facility for kidnapping a Pastor and another farmer in Baure village of Awe; on 26/06/2023 the duo of Iliyasu Adamu 19 years and Muhammadu Isah 21 years whom after the kidnapping operation where they collected one million naira as ransom and fled to Taraba and Rivers State respectively were arrested.
The suspects returned to the State in order to continue their nefarious activities unknown to them that the chase after them was ongoing.
Furthermore, on 18/06/2023 at about 03:00 hours, Police operatives arrested one Jaairro Alhaji Gwale ‘M’ of Awe LGA.
The suspect had conspired with other members of his syndicate who are still on the run and invaded Hunki village of Awe LGA where they kidnapped a lady who later escaped from their custody.
Luck ran out on the suspect when the victim sighted him and drew the attention of the Police.
The suspects have all confessed to the commission of the offences and shall be charged to Court upon conclusion of investigation.
CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND CULPABLE HOMICIDE:
On 29/06/2023 at about 17:00 hours, information was received that a suspected cult clash between two rival cult groups (Black Axe and Green Bottle) had occurred in Doma LGA which led to the death of one member each from the two cult groups.
Upon receipt of the information, Police operatives attached to Doma Division carried out extensive investigation into the case.
Consequently, four suspects namely: Jafaru Dauda 20 yours, Ibrahim Ismaila Husseini 20 yours, Adams Haladu 20 yours and Mustapha Ibrahim 20 yours all males of Doma were arrested in connection to the commission of the crime.
Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed thereafter to be members of Black Axe and Green Bottle cult groups and clashed as a result of battle for supremacy when the two groups met during Sallah celebration.
Investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
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