The police command in Kebbi says it has arrested two suspected bandits and 47 criminals, and recovered 10 AK-47 rifles.

The commissioner of police, Umar Hadejia, confirmed this while briefing journalists at the command’s headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, on Monday.

Mr Hadejia said that his officers, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army, recovered about 33 rustled cattle from suspected Lakurawa terrorists.

“On April 29, at about 1600 hours, police mobile officers, while on routine patrol along the Bena–Mai Rai Rai Road, intercepted and arrested two suspected bandits: Aliyu Hussaini, 23, of Minna, Niger State, and Sani Abubakar, 28, of Nasarawa Burkullo, Anka LGA, Zamfara State.

“A search recovered 36 rounds of live assault rifle ammunition, one magazine, a Bajaj motorcycle, ₦264,000 in cash, nine memory cards, four SIM cards, three Android phones, and one keypad phone. Both suspects have confessed to terrorising villages on this axis and are in custody for further investigation.

“Also on May 1, at about 0100 hours, a patrol team led by DPO Amburusa on the Amburusa–Sanyinna Road intercepted one Hussaini Abubakar in conspiracy with Ukasha Bande, 30, attempting to snatch a red Bajaj motorcycle (Reg. No. BRK 749 UT) from Nasiru Alhassan,” he said.

Mr Hadejia said that the suspects used a sharp sack needle to inflict serious injuries on the victim, adding that the victim is undergoing treatment at Ambursa Hospital.

He added that the suspects were apprehended, while the motorcycle and weapon were also recovered, and the case is under investigation.

“On May 2, at about 0600 hours, acting on reliable intelligence following a reported motorcycle snatching, police officers attached to Kalgo Division arrested one Ashiru Muhammad, 20, of Alabani Village via Makera.

“Muhammad confessed to conspiring with one Usman Muhammad (at large) and Anas Bangola (at large) to block the Masalaci Zarya–Jega Road, where they attacked Dan’juma Baban Yara, 45, stabbing him in the head with a knife before stealing his Bajaj motorcycle.

“The victim is receiving treatment at the General Hospital Jega. The suspect and motorcycle are in police custody, and a manhunt for the fleeing accomplices continues,” the commissioner said.

While giving an account of other breakthroughs under the command, the CP disclosed that from January to date, the command had recovered a large number of ammunitions, fabricated guns and live ammunition and made some arrests.

“Ten AK‑47 rifles, eight fabricated AK‑47 rifles, two Mack‑four rifles, five locally made revolver guns, five single-barrel guns, five dane guns, two locally made pistols, and three fabricated Beretta pistols were recovered from some Chinese nationals.

“Also one thousand, two hundred and twenty‑nine (1,221) rounds of live AK‑47 ammunition, 29 rounds of machine gun ammunition, 40 live cartridges, 16 rounds of Baretta pistol ammunition, and five empty AK‑47 magazines were recovered.

“Twenty-two recovered stolen motorcycles have already been released to their owners,” he said.

Mr Hadejia added that herds of rustled cattle, including 33 others, were recovered on April 3 in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army on Kamba–Kangiwa Road (where one bandit was neutralised), with eight additional cattle recovered in a follow-up operation by DPO Kangiwa.

“Forty-seven suspects were arrested for various violent crimes, including armed robbers, banditry, and armed motorcycle snatchers.

“Forty stolen GSM phones recovered within the period under review along with phones and SIM cards used by bandits are undergoing forensic analysis,” he said.

According to him, these achievements reflected the dedication of operatives, the effectiveness of joint security operations, and the support of the public.

The commissioner urged commercial motorcycle riders to desist from conveying suspicious persons to strange or isolated destinations.

“This has become a common tactic used by armed motorcycle snatchers and bandits. Riders are, therefore, urged to report any unusual requests to the nearest police station,” he said.

(NAN)