Police arrest suspect who displayed gun on social media

The Katsina State Police Command paraded 16 suspects for various offences on Thursday.

Parading the suspects before newsmen at the Command headquarters in Katsina, Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq said at different locations and dates, the personnel had succeeded in smashing a seven-man syndicate of suspected armed robbery, arresting three suspects in possession of a locally fabricated gun, a notorious motorcycle thief among others.

According to Sadiq “On September 8th, 2024, at about 0200hrs, the command succeeded in smashing a 7-man syndicate of suspected armed robbers responsible for robbing a motorist en route to deliver wrappers and materials valued at around four million naira (₦4,000,000.00).

“Operatives attached to the Funtua Area Command acted on intelligence and swooped in on the syndicate, arresting all seven members. The syndicate used stones to barricade a point along the Kano-Zaria road, forcing the driver to a stop, where they tied and pounced on the driver before loading the stolen items into two of their operational motor vehicles, one Volkswagen Golf III saloon, maroon color, with Reg. No. KMC 850 AJ, and a Ford Focus, Ash color, with Reg. No. RBC 873 XP, which were recovered loaded with the stolen items,” he said.

PUNCH Online learnt that the suspects had stolen, on different dates and times, grains and cooking oil while using the two motor vehicles to facilitate their crimes.

He said the Command has succeeded in arresting three suspects in possession of a locally fabricated gun, further reinforcing the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety.

“On August 28, 2024, at about 1600hrs, operatives attached to Dutsinma Area Command arrested the following suspects, Janaidu Yusuf, m, age 28, Abubakar Dahiru, m, age 27, Murtala Halliru, m, age 37 all of Machinjin village, Kankia LGA, Katsina State.

“The suspects were arrested following a meticulous investigation triggered by a social media post. The suspect, Janaidu Yusuf had sometime in the month of August, 2024, posted a picture of himself brandishing a prohibited locally fabricated gun, which drew the attention of the command.

“Upon arrest, Junaidu confessed to have obtained the gun from one Abubakar Dahiru. Further investigation led to the arrest of the said Abubakar, who confessed to have purchased the gun from the 3rd suspect, Murtala Halliru, whom upon arrest, could not give a satisfactory account of how he acquired the gun. Exhibit recovered: One (1) locally fabricated gun with four (4) rounds of live ammunition,” he said.

He added “In a major breakthrough, the command has arrested one Bala Muhammad, age 45, of Jabiri quarters, Funtua LGA, Katsina State, a suspected notorious thief, and recovered a stolen vehicle during a routine patrol.

“On September 8th, 2024, at about 0300hrs, operatives attached to Funtua Area Command apprehended the suspect in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, one Volkawagen Golf III, ash in color, with registration number ZAR 982 YE, while on routine patrol. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to having stolen the vehicle from where it was parked at the frontage of a house in Yakawada village, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State.”

The Command said “On September 2nd, 2024, at about 0315 hrs, the command succeeded in arresting one Umar Muhammed, m, age 25, of Sabuwar Unguwa quarters, Katsina, in connection with a suspected case of theft and vandalism.

“A distress call was received at the Batagarawa Divisional Police Headquarters on the activities of some suspected thieves and vandals at the Hassan Usman Polytechnic, Katsina.

“Promptly, the DPO dispatched operatives to the scene, where they successfully apprehended the suspects in possession of suspected vandalized armored cable.

“Upon instant search, a digger, shovel, plier, and two handsaws. During the investigation, the suspects confessed to having conspired with the trio of Isma’il, m, Aminu, m, and Sama’ila Abdulrashid, m, all of Katsina State, now at large, in vandalizing the said armored cable. They further mentioned one Mas’udu Amadu, m., age 30, of the same address as the receiver of their stolen properties. The investigation is still ongoing.”

The police spokesman added “Additionally, the command has succeeded in arresting one Ahmad Sulaiman, m., of Abattoir quarters, Katsina, in connection with a suspected case of theft and vandalism.

“On August 9th, 2024, at about 1400 hrs, a report was received at Sabon Gari Divisional Police Headquarters on a vandalization and theft of electric service cable at NAK steel rolling company, Katsina.

“Following the receipt of the report, operatives of the command launched an investigation, which led to the arrest of the suspect on September 9th, 2024, in possession of the suspected stolen electric service cable valued at about fifty million naira (#50,000,000.00).

“Based on credible intelligence, operatives attached to CID while on routine patrol successfully arrested one Aliyu Masa’udu, m, age 18, of Chake town, Katsina, a notorious motorcycle thief.”

“On September 14th, 2024, at about 0200hrs, officers responded to a report on activities of a suspicious person in a residence at Dutsin Safe quarters. Upon arrival, the suspect was caught red-handed attempting to steal a motorcycle.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to conspiring with two other suspects, one Dahiru, m, alias Zomo, of Unguwar Yari, and Yellow, m, of Jibia LGA, currently at large, in perpetrating the act. Further investigation revealed that the suspects had criminally conspired and trespassed into several houses around the area and stolen valuable items,” he said.

PUNCH Online learnt that the suspect mentioned a 14–year-old Abubakar Sulaiman of Dutsin Safe quarters as their informant and Muhammad Abdullahi, m, of Sabuwar Unguwa quarters as the receiver of stolen items.

Again, the command on September 15, 2024, arrested Hussaini Idris, 37 of Kofar Kaura Quarters in possession of three suspected stolen 400 KVA solar panels.

“Operatives attached to Sabon Gari Divisional Police Headquarters intercepted the suspect while transporting the solar panels in his vehicle, one Galaxy Ford, Ash color, with registration number KTN 398 YX, in an attempt to convey the stolen solar panels to the receiver, Abdulrahman alias Aguero, now at large. All three solar panels, including the operational vehicle, were recovered as exhibits,” the PPRO said.