Cynthia Ezegwu
The Gombe State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal activities with the arrest of suspects linked to motorcycle and cattle theft across the state.
Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday, said operatives of Operation Hattara arrested 32-year-old Tukur Mohammed of Kalshingi Village, Akko Local Government Area, while in possession of a stolen red Boxer motorcycle without a plate number.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having stolen the motorcycle in collaboration with one Ahmadu Buba of the same address, who is currently at large,” Abdullahi said, adding that the motorcycle has been recovered as an exhibit.
In a related incident, 18-year-old Abubakar Auwal, alias Abba, was arrested in connection with the theft of a black TVS motorcycle reported stolen in Dassa Village, Balanga LGA. The suspect was intercepted on September 17 after patrol teams traced the motorcycle to Kembo Matinja Village.
“While one of the culprits, identified as Ali Tukur, managed to escape, Abubakar Auwal was apprehended and confessed to conspiring with his accomplice to steal the motorcycle,” Abdullahi noted.
The command also foiled an attempt to steal cattle in Balanga LGA. Two residents of Nyanfawa Village, Talasse District, reported the theft of their cows in the early hours of September 18. Patrol teams later traced the suspects to Bangu Village, where a white Hummer bus with registration number ABC 884 TU was abandoned with its boot open.
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“On approaching the vehicle, the occupants fled into the bush. A search led to the recovery of two cows hidden in the grass, along with ropes used for tying animals, a half bag of guinea corn, and cow dung inside the vehicle,” Abdullahi said.
The cows were returned to their owners through community leader Ardo Wakili, while the vehicle was taken into custody as an exhibit.
Commissioner of Police, Bello Yahaya, commended the vigilance of the patrol teams and reaffirmed the command’s resolve to rid the state of criminals.
“These arrests and recoveries demonstrate our commitment to protecting lives and property. We urge members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely information,” Yahaya stated.