A notorious criminal gang has been apprehended by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command in Yar Gamji village, Kankara Local Government Area of the state.
It was gathered that the police also recovered four dangerous rifles including five AK-47 magazines, with two loaded with 59 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.
Disclosing this, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said that the operatives action also crippled criminal activities in the area.
The statement reads, “On Thursday, December 21st, 2023, in a major raid operation carried out at Yargoje Town, Kankara LGA, by operatives attached to Kankara Divisional Police Headquarters, a criminal hideout in Yar Gamji village was raided, resulting in the neutralisation of notorious criminal gang activities within the area.
“The raid operation carried out with utmost precision and determination, led to a fierce shootout between the command’s operatives and the hoodlums, resulting in the successful recovery of two (2) AK-47 rifles, two (2) locally made guns, and five AK-47 magazines. Furthermore, two (2) of the magazines were found to be fully loaded with fifty-nine (59) rounds of 7.62mm calibre live ammunition.
“The success of the operation has effectively rendered the criminal activities in the area incapacitated, as relentless efforts are underway to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.”
In a separate development, the Ebonyi State Police Command has revealed that it recorded no fewer than 300 cases and arrested more than 487 suspects between June and December.
The command also said it prosecuted 140 cases and charged 187 suspects in court within six months.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, gave these figures during a press briefing in Abakaliki, adding that the command recovered 12 stolen vehicles and 20 assorted firearms within the period.
“The command has also recovered 350 ammunitions of different calibres and dislodged criminals from numerous hideouts in different parts of the state.
“Permit me to appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, who availed us the opportunity to serve the state in this capacity. I commend sister agencies, whose cooperation helped us to achieve some of these breakthroughs,” she said.