By AHMED ABBA

Mr Usman Jibrin, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe on Wednesday said that his Command arrested 240 suspects over crimes including rape, kidnapping and armed robbery in a three-month operation.

Jibrin made this known during a news conference at the command’s headquarters in Damaturu.

The police chief said that the cases which comprised 16 murder, nine rape, one kidnapping, two extortion, five armed robbery and 112 other offences were recorded from July to date.

He said 198 cases secured convictions, two resulted in acquittal, 26 were before the courts, while 10 cases were still under investigation and four case files awaiting legal advice.

Jibrin said the achievements clearly reflected the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, crime prevention and protection of lives and property.

The police chief said the command had raided identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the state, leading to the arrest of 171 suspected drug dealers and users.

According to him, illicit drugs, dry leaves suspected to be hemp, other prohibited substances and dangerous weapons were recovered during the operations.

He said that the operatives also neutralised one suspect during an armed robbery operation in Fika and arrested another suspect in a separate incident.

Jibrin lso said that the command had arrested another suspect who allegedly came from Maiduguri with the intention of snatching vehicles after killing their owners.

The police chief said the command had arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged fraud and misappropriation of N77 million.

He added that another suspect was arrested for allegedly obtaining cash and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.

Jibrin said the command had also arrested a suspect found in possession of four rolls of high-voltage electrical cables suspected to have been stolen.

The police chief said two suspects were arrested for allegedly threatening and extorting a total of N630,000 from two victims under the threat of kidnapping.

He said the suspects confessed during investigation and necessary legal action had been taken.

Jibrin said the command had also recorded significant progress in investigating rape cases involving minors, with suspects arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police chief said that detectives had successfully investigated separate cases of culpable homicide, arrested the suspects involved, obtained confessional statements where applicable and concluded investigations for prosecution.

He, however, attributed the achievements to professionalism, prompt response to crime, intelligence-led operations and effective collaboration with communities and other security stakeholders.

Jibrin expressed his appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, and Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe for their support to the command.

The police chief also commended traditional rulers, sister security agencies, vigilante groups, the media and residents of the state for their continuous cooperation, particularly in providing timely information.

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to the police, adding that security remained a collective responsibility.

Jibrin assured the residents of the command’s commitment in sustaining the fight against crime and criminality in the state. (NAN)