By Pwanagba Agabus, Jos
The Plateau State Police Command on Friday disclosed that it arrested 859 suspects across the state in the outgoing year for crimes ranging from cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, among others.
It also said 415 out of the aforementioned figure have been charged to court; while it rescued 46 kidnapped victims.
The Command equally disclosed that 27 arms and 115 ammunition were recovered during the period under review.
While parading 29 suspects at Police Headquarters in Jos the State Capital, CP Emmanuel Adesina said, overtime, the Command has put in place series of strategies in order to prevent crime and ensure the security of lives and properties of residents within the State especially during this festive season.
According to him, “One of such measures is the intensification of efforts toward ensuring the arrest and due prosecution of criminals.
“On December 15th, 2024 at about 08:00am, information at our disposal revealed the activities of a gang of suspected hoodlums in possession of illegal firearms operating at Laplak Village, Pil-Gani District, Langtang North LGA.
“While acting on this information, a team of Policemen led by the DPO Langtang North Division immediately swung into action and arrested four suspects, namely; one Lohkur Ponfa, Monday Seljum, Nansak Ndam, and Nanbut Napdong, all of Pil-Gani District, Langtang North LGA of the State.
“Upon conducting an on-the-spot search on the suspects, one AK 47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of Live ammunition was recovered from the suspects.
“During our interview, the suspects, confessed to having carried out a series of armed robbery operations including the one of August 5th, 2024, where they robbed one Chukwuemeka of opposite COCIN RCC Langtang North”, .
He said the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of our investigations.
On the case of foil kidnap and recovery of firearm, the CP said, “On 12/12/2024 at about 08:30pm, while acting upon credible intelligence received from one of our trusted informants, our men from Shendam Division arrested one Samuel Joti, Ponjul Paul, and Timfa Nimmyel all male of Shendam LGA at Lu-Shinkwan Hotel in Shendam.
According to him, “The suspects were attempting to execute a kidnap operation at Lu-Shinkwan Hotel, Shendam.
“The following items were recovered in their possession; one Locally fabricated Double-barrel Pistol loaded with a cartridge, a jack knife, three handsets, and two local knives”, he explained.
He said the matter is currently under investigation at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and will be charged to Court upon Conclusion of our investigation.
Speaking further, Adesina said,
“On 14th December, 2024 at about 19:30am while on patrol along Agingi area of Bassa Local Government Area, our men arrested one Emmanuel Atu, a 24 years old male based on reasonable suspicion.
“Upon conducting a thorough search on the suspect, one revolver Pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition was recovered from his possession.
“When the suspect was interviewed, he confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity.
Other suspects were paraded for similar crimes across the state.
