Commissioner of Police, Mr David Akinremi parading the suspects at the Police headquarters in Jalingo.

The Taraba State Police Command in its efforts at ensuring that crime and all forms of criminalities are reduced to the bearable minimum, has recorded some remarkable achievements in the last one month. These achievements were recorded by officers and men of the Command consequent upon the marching order given to them by the Commissioner of Police, CP. David A Akinremi Psc(+) to embark on massive man hunt of criminals operating within the State. The results of these efforts are highlighted below:-

(i) ARREST OF A TWO-MAN GANG OF ARMED ROBBERS:- Operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) acting on reliable intelligence on 15/10/2017 arrested one Sani Hashimu and Yahaya Musa both ‘m’ of Mutum-Biyu in Gassol LGA. The two suspects were reportedly picked up as passengers by one Iliyasu Bashir on his motorcycle on 13/10/2017. While on the way along Donga Nyivu village road, the cyclist was stabbed on the back by the two men and his motorcycle taken away. The said snatched motorcycle has been recovered while the suspects will soon be arraigned in court for prosecution.

(ii)ARREST OF A MEMBER OF THE NOTORIOUS GHANA CRIMINAL GANG: TERSOO TSEKE ‘M’ 25YRS:- It would be recalled that on the 22/10/2017, there was an armed robbery attack along Wukari -Takum road during which one Yamaduwe Antyo who was the second in command to the most wanted notorious militia gang leader aka “Ghana”, was killed in gun duel with operatives of the Nigeria Police attached to Takum Division and a G3 rifle with 10 rounds of ammunition was recovered. The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Taraba State Command determined to uncover the co-perpetrators of the attack, embarked on intensive information and intelligence gathering. Consequently, the above named suspect was arrested in his hide out. He confessed to be one of the armed bandits who had a shootout with the Police and also confirmed being a member of the “Ghana” militia group. Assorted criminal charms and other incriminating items were recovered in his possession. Suspect will soon be arraigned before a court while efforts are ongoing, to track down other members of the gang.

(iii) ARREST OF THREE MAN KIDNAPPING SYNDICATE:- On the 23/10/2017, Police operatives attached to Wukari Division acting on reliable intelligence report, arrested a three man gang namely: Dantala Idi, Naziru Jafaru, a staff of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Taraba State Command and Yakubu Abubakar. The suspects confessed to be responsible for kidnapping activities and other heinous crime in Bantaje, Gidin Doruwa and Wukari axis. Police investigation further revealed that, the suspects are members of a kidnapping syndicate which on the 23/10/2017 attacked one Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Chief of Bantaje in an effort to kidnap him and also set blaze his Honda Hennessey vehicle. Similarly, the gang was also responsible for robbing one Yahaya Suleiman on the same date where his Laptop valued N80,000.00k (eighty thousand naira) was catered away by them. The suspects also confessed to the Police that they had some time on the 10/10/2017 attacked one Zakari Madi and also set his motorcycle ablaze. In furtherance to their criminal activities, it was further gathered that the gang had on several occasions sent threatening messages and collected large sums of money from innocent individuals. Investigation continues and suspects will soon be charged to court.

(iv) ARREST OF TWO MEMBERS OF A KIDNAPPING GANG:-

Similarly, on 24/10/2017, operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Command after a pains taking intelligence arrested one Nasiru Ibrahim and Tukura Abdulahi, both of Sabongari village Ardo-Kola LGA. The two suspects had called one Alhaji Mohammed Adamu ‘m’ of Mallam Boyi village, Iware ward and demanded that he dropped the sum of N2,000,000.00k (two million naira) at a location and if he failed to comply he would be kidnapped. The telephone number used by the hoodlums was tracked and this led to the arrest of the two suspects. Further investigation revealed that the two men are members of a kidnapping gang which had in the past been responsible for a number of kidnapping cases in Ardo-Kola LGA. Efforts are ongoing to trace their other victims with a view to proffering appropriate charges against the suspects.

(v) ARREST OF MEMBERS OF HOUSE BREAKING AND BURGLARY SYNDICATE:- On the 26/10/2017, operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state while on patrol along Mayo-Dassa area of Jalingo, intercepted a three man gang of burglars at about 0200am. When cordon and search was carried out, three cutlasses, two battle axes, three knives and three face masks were recovered in a bag in possession of one of the suspects. Investigation further revealed that the three man criminal gang namely (i) Mansur Musa (ii) Moradi Albat and (iii) Monday came from Mayo-Belwa in Adamawa state to carry out house breaking and burglary particularly in Jalingo Metro and its environs. Their confession led to the arrest of one SGT Bitrus Maisalati attached to works department in the Command said to be their accomplice. Further investigation had led operatives for some of the houses where they had earlier carried out their heinous activities. Suspects would soon be arraigned to court upon completion of investigation.

(vi) ARREST OF A TWO MAN GANG OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS:- Police operatives attached to Mutum-Biyu Division while on surveillance apprehended one Johnson Yusuf ‘m’ and Angela Cosmos ‘f’ resident of Mutum-Biyu on 10/11/2017 at about 1400hrs. The two men were being monitored over a period of time until their arrest while planning to kidnap one Alhaji Isa Ahmadu and Alhaji Mohammed Tumba whom they had earlier called on telephone of their plan to kidnap them if certain sum of money was not made available to them. The two suspects on investigation admitted the plan to kidnap and the handset/telephone number used to demand for ransom was recovered. They would soon appear in court for prosecution.

(vii) RECOVERY OF THREE RIFLES:- The men of the Nigerian Army on 10/11/2017 at a military check point at the city gate in Jalingo, intercepted a Honda saloon car with registration number Kano AA 101 KNN driven by one Micah Awin. When the vehicle was searched, three (3) assorted fire arms namely, one AK47 rifle with fifty (50) live ammunition, one Lar rifle with empty magazine and one Baretta rifle respectively were recovered. The suspect who was handed over to the Command on further interrogation, confessed to have been involved in arms dealing for a while. His confession led to the recovery of one G3 rifle by operatives of the Command. Investigation is still ongoing on the source of supply.

(viii) ARREST OF RAPISTS:- The Police in Sunkani Division on the 12/11/2017 arrested two students of Taraba State University namely Samuel Abari and Ayuba David both male based on a reported case of Rape by one Rita Seth ‘f’ of Sunkani. The Rape victim was met at a farm where she was working by the two suspects who forcefully had carnal knowledge of her. The two suspects confessed to the crime and would be arraigned in court soon.

The Command wishes to assure members of the public of its determination to rid the State of all forms of crime and criminalities. This however can only be actualized with support of all and sundry by providing useful information to the Police to enable us deliver on our mandate.

Commissioner of Police, Mr David Akinremi parading the suspects at the Police headquarters in Jalingo.