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Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested 240 suspects for various offences, including murder, rape, kidnapping and armed robbery, between July and September.
The state Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Damaturu.
Jibrin said the arrests followed investigations into 16 murder cases, nine sexual assault cases, one kidnapping case, two extortion cases, five armed robbery cases and 112 other offences recorded during the period.
He said the command has made significant progress in tackling crime through intelligence-led policing, crime prevention and measures to protect lives and property.
According to the commissioner, 198 cases have resulted in convictions, while two ended in acquittals. He added that 26 cases were pending before the courts, 10 remained under investigation, and four case files were awaiting legal advice.
Jibrin also disclosed that police operatives had raided criminal hideouts and identified crime-prone areas across the state, leading to the arrest of 171 suspected drug dealers and users.
He said the operations also led to the recovery of illicit drugs, dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, other prohibited substances and dangerous weapons.
The commissioner said one suspect was killed during an armed robbery operation in Fika, while another suspect was arrested in connection with the incident.
He also disclosed the arrest of a suspect who allegedly travelled from Maiduguri to Yobe with the intention of stealing vehicles after killing their owners.
On financial crimes, Jibrin said police arrested a suspect in connection with alleged fraud and misappropriation of N77 million.
He added that police arrested another suspect for allegedly obtaining cash and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.
The commissioner further said police arrested a suspect found with four rolls of high-voltage electrical cables suspected to have been stolen.
Two other suspects were arrested for allegedly threatening and extorting N630,000 from two victims by threatening them with kidnapping, he said.
According to Jibrin, the suspects confessed during investigation and legal action had been initiated.
The commissioner said the command had also made progress in investigating rape cases involving minors, with suspects arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He added that detectives had investigated separate cases of culpable homicide, arrested suspects and obtained confessional statements where applicable before concluding the investigations for prosecution.
Jibrin attributed the command’s reported progress to professionalism, prompt responses to criminal activities, intelligence-led operations and collaboration with communities and other security stakeholders.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for their support.
The commissioner also thanked traditional rulers, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, the media and residents for their cooperation, particularly in providing timely information to the police.
He urged residents to continue providing credible information, stressing that security was a collective responsibility.
Jibrin assured residents that the command would sustain its efforts to tackle crime and protect lives and property across the state.
