• Recover N8.4m ransom, arms, ammunition
The Bauchi State Police Command has said that its operatives have arrested a suspected 20-year-old kidnapper with the sum of N8,466,000.00, believed to be ransom paid by victims of their nefarious activities.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Umar Sanda, stated this while parading the suspect alongside others at the Command’s Headquarters in Bauchi on Tuesday.
He said several arms and ammunition were also recovered from the suspect who is a cattle herder.
According to him, the suspect, a resident of Tasha Daudu, Soro, in the Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state, was arrested while his accomplice, who is also his boss, escaped.
He said: “On 16th September, 2022, at about 5.30pm, the Command arrested one Abubakar Isah, male, 20, of Tashan Daudu Soro via Ganjuwa LGA at Gobirawa axis for criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, kidnapping and being in possession of prohibited firearms and ammunition.
“The following exhibits were recovered in his possession: the sum of N8,466,000.00 which is believed to be ransom that was paid to them, one SMG rifle with 92 live ammunition, one empty magazine SMG OFN rifle, one 7.62mm calibre of live ammunition and eight different models of phones, one MP3, one Honda Motorcycle and one cutlass.”
The Commissioner of Police also said on August 23, 2022, at about 4.30pm, a team of detectives attached to the Command arrested some suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and cattle rustling, who were terrorising Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and Toro LGAs and some parts of Plateau State.
He added that in the same vein, the Command’s operatives arrested six suspects at Sabon-Gida village in Tafawa Balewa LGA of Bauchi and Guram in Wase LGA of Plateau States namely: Adamu Aliyu, 35, alias (Do something), Adamu Abdullahi, 35, of Guram village Plateau State, Longnan Bali, 60, alias (Guguwa) of Guram village Plateau State, all males and members of the same vigilante group.
Others, according to him, are: Hassan Muhammed, 32, Yakubu Muhammadu, 25, and Umar Abdullahi, 34.
“The above-mentioned suspects, alleged to have criminally conspired with others while armed with AK-47 rifles, pistols and other dangerous weapons, carried out series of kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry and cattle rustling along Alkaleri, Dass, Tafawa Balewa, Bagoro, and Toro LGAs Bauchi State.
“They extended their criminal activities to the neighbouring towns, which include Wase, Dengi Kanam, Langtang north, Kanke and Mangu LGA, Plateau State respectively.
“The following exhibits were recovered from the suspects: One AK-47 rifle with 30 rounds of live ammunition and two Beretta pistols with 58 rounds of live ammunition.
“Similarly, on 7th September, 2022 at about 4.00pm, a patrol team attached to Maina-Maji Divisional Police Headquarters in collaboration with a vigilante group acted on credible intelligence and raided a suspected kidnappers’ den.
“On arrival, the kidnappers opened fire on the Police operatives. While returning fire, two of the kidnappers were neutralised at the spot, while one, Hussaini Salisu, adult, male, was arrested while the other two killed are: Muhammadu Lawali, male, 25, and Dangi, surname yet unknown, all of Gobiya, Mundu villages of Bogoro and Dangi LGAs of Bauchi and Plateau States respectively.”
According to him, exhibits recovered from their den are one AK-47 rifle and 29 live ammunitions.
He further said that one fabricated AK-47 rifle with empty magazine, two Dane-guns, one Pump action JOJEFF MAGNUM, one single barrel gun and one revolver (fabricated) were also mopped up and recovered by the Police.
Sanda expressed appreciation to the management team, officers and men of the Bauchi State Command, for being resolute, sincere and hardworking, pointing out that their unwavering commitment, efforts and excellent professionalism displayed in carrying out their duties resulted in the milestones achieved so far.
He recalled that during his first press conference upon resumption in the state, he pledged to establish a robust and healthy relationship and partnership at all levels with members of the public and all relevant Sister Security Agencies and Stakeholders in the community.
He lamented that security concerns across the state have assumed alarming dimensions ranging from Gender-Based Violence, Thuggery, Armed robbery, Kidnapping, and Banditry, among others.
According to him, this necessitated a review of the Command’s modus operandi to contain the current security challenges bedevilling the state and the country in general adding that it requires deploying all assets at its disposal in the quest to curtail criminal activities in the state.
He said: “Regarding our personnel’s misdemeanour while discharging their duties, the Command wishes to reiterate its position of zero-tolerance for any form of indiscipline, corruption, unprofessional or unethical conduct and erring personnel will be held accountable and dealt with accordingly.
“It is almost impossible to have a crime-free society, but I will tell you with great certainty that as part of our efforts to decimate all forms of criminal activities in the State for the period under review, we are able to achieve these many successes.
“From the foregoing, it is obvious that the Bauchi State Police Command has not been resting on its oars in the areas of crime bursting towards ensuring adequate peace and security in the State.
“We shall not relent and we shall continue to deliver on our mandate to protect lives and properties of the people of Bauchi State by ensuring a peaceful and conducive atmosphere to enable the good people of Bauchi State to go about their normal and lawful businesses and to keep them abreast on the progress of the Command regularly.”
