No fewer than nine suspects have been arrested by the Niger State Police Command for allegedly robbing trucks along the highways in Tafa local government area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, PRO, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the suspects are specialized in attacking and robbing faulty loaded trucks especially along Abuja-Kaduna, Keffi-Jos road, Nasarawa-Akwanga, and Minna-Suleja roads.
Abiodun identified the suspects as Mohammed Sani, Hakimi Abdullahi, Aminu Bello, Buhari Abdullahi, Tasiu Abdullahi, Bello Auwal, Kabiru Abubakar, Abdullahi Dabo and Babangida Ibrahim.
He said the suspects were arrested on 20 July, 2023 in a Volkswagen Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. LKJ 739 BJ along Kaduna-Abuja highway at Sabon-Wuse Tafa LG.
According to the police spokesperson, personnel of the command effected their arrest through intelligence gathered by police in the area for conspiracy and belonging to a robbery gang.
His word, “the vehicle’s body was found to have been riddled with some bullet impacts and occupied by nine men suspected to be criminal-minded persons.”
He explained that so far, preliminary investigation has shown that the syndicate was discovered to have been engaging in attacking and breaking trucks/containers and looting items/property contained therein along major roads.
He further revealed that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and claimed that they have a warehouse at Akwanga where they keep the loot, while they sell the items in Kano State.
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“They later attempted to bribe the DPO to terminate the case with an offer of five hundred thousand naira,” he said.
All suspects were arrested and transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation.
Meanwhile, some sections of the main market in Yola town have been destroyed by fire.
It was gathered Tuesday morning that the market went up in flames late Monday night while residents were in their houses.
Multiple sources said many shops were affected and goods worth millions of Naira lost to the fire.
A resident, who lives close to the market, said a quick response from firefighters saved the market from total destruction.
The source, who was not definite about the cause of the fire, said the market was prone to yearly fire outbreaks.
The State fire service was yet to speak on the situation, but the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said it had been brought under control.
He stated that immediately the State Police Command received report of the fire outbreak, the Commissioner of Police, CP Afolabi Babatola, deployed more men to prevent miscreants from looting.
“With the support of fire fighters, the situation was brought under control.
“Investigation has since begun to ascertain the cause of the fire for possible action,” Nguroje stated.