By Ali Rabiu Ali, Dutse
Police in Jigawa State have arrested 10 suspects in separate operations targeting alleged vandalism, theft, cattle rustling and illicit drug dealing across the state.
The operations also led to the recovery of three cows, suspected vandalised electric cables, a PlayStation 5 console, two plasma television sets and 3,427 assorted illicit drug exhibits.
Spokesman of the Jigawa State Police Command, SP Shi’isu Lawan Adam, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the arrests followed intelligence-led operations carried out in Dutse, Guri, Gumel and Kazaure.
Adam said three teenagers were arrested on July 8 in connection with the alleged vandalism and handling of electric cable wires believed to have been cut from behind a hotel in Dutse metropolis.
He identified the suspects as Aminu Mohammed, 17, of Fagoji Quarters; Abdullahi Mustapha, 17, of Zai Quarters; and Sani Umar, 18, of Shagari Quarters, all in Dutse Local Government Area.
According to him, the initial arrest of a suspected vandal led investigators to alleged receivers of the cable wires and other suspected stolen property.
“The suspects are currently assisting the police with ongoing investigations and will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation,” the statement said.
In a separate operation on the same day, operatives attached to Dutse Division arrested Suleiman Muhammad, 23, of Mariri Quarters in Kano State, allegedly in possession of a PlayStation 5 game console and two plasma television sets suspected to have been stolen.
The police put the estimated value of the items at N2.5 million, adding that their owners were traced and the property released to them on bond.
The command also said operatives from Guri Division, working with local vigilantes, arrested a suspected cattle rustler after three allegedly stolen cows were discovered hidden in his compound.
Adam said the animals had been recovered and released to their owner on bond, while investigation was continuing to identify other suspected members of the syndicate.
In another operation, the police raided suspected drug black spots in Dutse, Gumel and Kazaure local government areas, arresting three alleged drug dealers.
The suspects were identified as Garba Muhammad, alias Dare, 50; Buhari Umar, alias Uban Kasa, 25, of Dantanoma; and Auwalu Dan Jos, 25, of Kofar Tsoro in Kazaure LGA.
Police said the raids led to the recovery of 3,427 assorted drug exhibits, comprising 1,440 pieces of Exol, 258 Tramadol tablets, 419 Pregabalin tablets, 679 D5 tablets, 80 tubes of rubber solution, 551 wraps of suspected Indian hemp and four blocks of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis.
A cash sum of N100,660, suspected to be proceeds from illicit drug sales, was also recovered.
The command said the suspects would be arraigned upon completion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police commended officers involved in the operations for their professionalism and vigilance, while thanking residents for providing credible information that aided the arrests.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious persons, objects and movements to the nearest police formation.
