Gombe State Police Commissioner, Hayatu Usman, refutes assertions of bandit incursion into the state and an increase in informants.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mahid Abubakar, released a statement to journalists on Friday, quoting the Police Commissioner’s dismissal of claims made by a security agency as lacking evidence.
It was reported by our correspondent that the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Muhammad Bello, cautioned residents on Tuesday during the decoration of 302 officers against harboring strangers or their representatives, asserting that criminals were moving from the North-West to the North-East.
In response to this assertion, Commissioner Usman labeled it as misinformation, emphasizing that there is no imminent threat in the state.
The statement partly read, “The attention of Gombe State Police Command has been drawn to a trending video in circulation purported to have emanated from a sister security agency that ‘bandits have infiltrated Gombe State and that bandits informants are on the increase.’’
“The command wishes to state emphatically that there is no such threat in Gombe State, and the command, in collaboration with other security agencies, is committed to ensuring the protection of lives and property, maintenance of law and order in the state.”
While urging residents to ignore the misinformation and go about their businesses without fear, Usman solicited credible information that would help to maintain the peaceful co-existence in the state.
“Therefore, well-meaning members of the state should discountenance the trending video message and go about their lawful businesses as usual, the command also assures the people and residents alike of their safety.
“Finally, the public is enjoined to report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Stations,” the statement added.