The police command in Bauchi has warned criminals who want to perpetuate crimes during and after the Eid-el-Fitr festival to desist or face the full weight of the law, announcing the arrest of 26 political thugs across the state.

This is contained in a statement by the spokesman for the command, SP Ahmed Wakil, on Tuesday in Bauchi.

The police advised people with criminal intentions to keep off Bauchi as there would be no room for them to operate.

The command assured the residents that their duty towards maintaining law and order, providing adequate security of lives and property, preventing and detecting crimes and enforcing the laws to preserve civil order is in top gear.

“Criminals will be dealt with when they commit any offence, and we can do our work with a human face. Police would continue to put efforts and watertight security in the state and the serenity of the upcoming Eid-el-Fitr celebration in the state and its environs,” the police said.

The statement added that the command would continue to smoke out criminals with consistent effort, disclosing that a team of ‘operation restore peace’ led by the commander while on visibility policing patrol arrested 26 thugs in various locations.

According to him, exhibits recovered from the suspects include three knives, four machetes, two sharp iron and one antler.

“During interrogation, all the suspects confessed to having partaken in the activities of thug and thuggery (sara-suka) towards terrorising the innocent citizens of the state. All suspects will be immediately charged to court after investigations,” the police said.

(NAN)