The Yobe State Police Command says 240 suspects have been taken into custody in connection with various criminal offences recorded across the state over the past three months.
The arrests, according to the command, followed investigations into cases ranging from murder and rape to kidnapping, armed robbery, extortion and other offences.
The state Commissioner of Police, Usman Jibrin, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Damaturu.
Jibrin said the cases investigated between July and September included 16 murder cases, nine rape cases, one kidnapping case, two extortion cases, five armed robbery cases and 112 other offences.
He said, “We have recorded significant progress in our fight against crime and criminality in the state. In the period under review, 240 suspects were arrested in connection with various offences.”
The commissioner said 198 cases had resulted in convictions, while two ended in acquittals. He added that 26 cases were currently before the courts, 10 remained under investigation and four case files were awaiting legal advice.
According to Jibrin, the command’s operations were driven by intelligence gathering, crime prevention and efforts to protect residents and their property.
He stated, “These achievements clearly reflect our commitment to intelligence-led policing, crime prevention and the protection of lives and property.”
As part of the crackdown, police operatives also targeted suspected criminal hideouts and locations identified as crime hotspots.
The operations led to the arrest of 171 people suspected of involvement in drug-related activities, while police recovered substances suspected to be Indian hemp, other prohibited drugs and dangerous weapons.
Jibrin also disclosed that police killed a suspect during an armed robbery operation in Fika and arrested another person in a related incident.
He said, “Our operatives neutralised one suspect during an armed robbery operation in Fika and arrested another suspect in a separate incident.”
The commissioner further revealed that police arrested a suspect allegedly linked to a plan to travel from Maiduguri to Yobe to steal vehicles after killing their owners.
On financial crimes, the command arrested a suspect over alleged fraud involving N77m and another person accused of obtaining money and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.
He said, “We also arrested a suspect in connection with the alleged fraud and misappropriation of N77m. Another suspect was arrested for obtaining cash and goods through fake bank transfer alerts.”
Police also recovered four rolls of high-voltage electrical cables from a suspect who was allegedly in possession of the items illegally.
Two additional suspects were arrested over allegations that they threatened two victims with kidnapping and demanded N630,000.
“The suspects confessed during investigation and necessary legal action has been taken,” the commissioner said.
Jibrin said the command had continued to pursue cases involving the alleged sexual abuse of minors, with suspects arrested and cases processed for prosecution.
He stated, “We have made significant progress in investigating rape cases involving minors. Suspects have been arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.”
He added that detectives had also concluded investigations into several culpable homicide cases after identifying and arresting suspects.
He said, “Our detectives have successfully investigated separate cases of culpable homicide, arrested the suspects involved and concluded investigations for prosecution.”
The commissioner credited the command’s progress to intelligence-led operations, professional conduct, rapid response to incidents and cooperation from communities and other security agencies.
He thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for their support, while also commending traditional rulers, vigilantes, sister security agencies, the media and residents for assisting the police with information.
Jibrin called on residents to continue sharing credible information with security authorities, noting that protecting lives and property requires the cooperation of the public.
He assured Yobe residents that the police would maintain the ongoing crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
