The Yobe State Police Command has arrested 240 suspects over various offences, including murder, rape, kidnapping and armed robbery, in the last three months.
The state Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters in Damaturu.
Jibrin said the arrests followed investigations into 16 murder cases, nine rape cases, one kidnapping case, two extortion cases, five armed robbery cases and 112 other offences recorded between July and September.
He said, “We have recorded significant progress in our fight against crime and criminality in the state. In the period under review, 240 suspects were arrested in connection with various offences.”
According to the commissioner, 198 cases had secured convictions, two resulted in acquittals, while 26 cases were before the courts.
He added that 10 cases were still under investigation, while four case files were awaiting legal advice.
Jibrin said the achievements reflected the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.
He stated, “These achievements clearly reflect our commitment to intelligence-led policing, crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.”
The police boss disclosed that operatives had also raided criminal hideouts and identified black spots across the state, leading to the arrest of 171 suspected drug dealers and users.
He said illicit drugs, dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, other prohibited substances and dangerous weapons were recovered during the operations.
Jibrin further disclosed that one suspect was killed during an armed robbery operation in Fika, while another suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.
He said, “Our operatives neutralised one suspect during an armed robbery operation in Fika and arrested another suspect in a separate incident.”
The commissioner also said the command arrested a suspect who allegedly travelled from Maiduguri to Yobe with the intention of snatching vehicles after killing their owners.
On financial crimes, Jibrin said one suspect was arrested in connection with alleged fraud and misappropriation of N77m.
He added that another suspect was apprehended for allegedly obtaining cash and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.
He said, “We also arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged fraud and misappropriation of N77m. Another suspect was arrested for obtaining cash and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.”
Jibrin said the command also arrested a suspect found with four rolls of high-voltage electrical cables suspected to have been stolen.
He disclosed that two suspects were arrested for allegedly threatening and extorting N630,000 from two victims by threatening them with kidnapping.
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“The suspects confessed during investigation and necessary legal action has been taken,” the commissioner said.
Jibrin said the command had recorded considerable progress in the investigation of rape cases involving minors, adding that suspects had been arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He stated, “We have made significant progress in investigating rape cases involving minors. Suspects have been arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
The commissioner also said detectives had successfully investigated separate cases of culpable homicide, arrested the suspects and obtained confessional statements where applicable.
He said, “Our detectives have successfully investigated separate cases of culpable homicide, arrested the suspects involved and concluded investigations for prosecution.”
Jibrin attributed the successes recorded by the command to professionalism, prompt response to criminal activities, intelligence-led operations and effective collaboration with communities and other security stakeholders.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for their support to the command.
The commissioner also appreciated traditional rulers, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, the media and residents for their cooperation, particularly in providing timely information to the police.
He urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the police, noting that security remained a collective responsibility.
Jibrin assured residents that the command would sustain its efforts to combat crime and criminality and protect lives and property across the state.