From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi state Police Command, Ede Ayuba Ekpeji has reiterated the commitment of the command to sustain the tempo of the fight against criminality and guarantee protection of lives and property in the state.
The Commissioner gave the assurance while parading 12 suspected armed robbers, car and motorcycle snatchers with six vehicles, motorcycles, pistols and live ammunition at the state Police command headquarters, Lokoja Kogi state.
“We have designed a template to contain criminality and have also identified some strategic point which we are developing a policing plan to enable us deploy our personnel for effective visibility policing in the state.” he added.
He pointed out that the Command would continue to adopt common problem solving strategies for effective result on the community policing which according to him has improved public confidence resulting in public spirited individuals who now provides valuable information about criminals’ hideouts.
Among those paraded are Mohammed Yahaya 27, Idris Bello 26, and Nafiu Bello 28 who were arrested a following a tip off after snatching an unregistered Sienna from one Ibrahim Yinusa Amale of Madabo, Lokoja at gun point.
Commissioner told Journalists that they were arrested with one locally made revolver pistol, one English made pistol with five live ammunition, a Toyota Siena, one Toyota Corolla vehicle, one Toyota Camry, one Ford Explorer vehicle and one Michael For Wristwatch respectively.
Others are Ahmed Abah 38, Yauza Adamu 26, and Idris Sani 36 all of Lekki, Lagos who were arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) during their routing patrol with a Toyota Highlander adding that they confessed stolen the vehicle from Lagos.
The Police also paraded one Mustapha James Onu who allegedly conspired with one Adejoh Tukujo and robbed Apostle Festus Alilu of Word of Power Gospel Church Anyigba of his Camry car, N8,000 and Itel Phone. He was arrested with one locally made pistol with one ammunition.
One Monday Shaibu who specialised in motorcycle snatching was also arrested with Military Camouflage uniform and a desert boot. He allegedly robbed the owner of a Bajaj motorcycle with the pretext that he is a military personnel but ran out of Luck as police on routine patrol arrested him in uniform.
The Police further told Journalists how one Abubakar Achaji Ali and Ibrahim Mallam Barto allegedly killed one cyclist, Mohammad Bello at Bagido area of Isanlu and went away with his motorcycle “The suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned some of his gang members.”
Other suspects who specialised motorcycle stealing and snatching according to the Commissioner includes Bello Suleiman 22, Aliyu Ibrahim 18, Yakubu Dunca 32, Yakubu Dankap, Bello Suleiman and Aliyu Ibrahim respectively.
“They have made confessional statements and would soon be charged to court when investigation into the cases are completed.” he added.
