Police have arrested six residents and recovered stolen cattle as well as valuables linked to burglary in separate security operations carried out across Bauchi and Yobe states.
Also, the operations led to the recovery of parcels of suspected cannabis, while investigators said efforts were ongoing to apprehend additional suspects, establish the ownership of recovered property and determine the full circumstances surrounding the cases before prosecution.
A statement released on Tuesday by the police spokesperson of Yobe and Bauchi states revealed that the operations that led to the arrest of the six suspects were carried out yesterday.
The Yobe arrest followed an intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Garin Alkali Divisional Police Headquarters.
They intercepted 28-year-old Umar Sanda of Lafiya Fulani Settlement via Azare in Katagum Local Government Area of Bauchi State with 19 cattle on the outskirts of Dumburi Village in Masaba Ward, Bursari Local Government Area.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi operations were conducted by operatives of the State Police Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit during routine patrols in Doya Quarters, while the suspected cannabis case was uncovered in a separate operation in Bayan Gari.
According to the police, one of the major recoveries involved the 19 cattle intercepted from Sanda, who failed to provide satisfactory proof of ownership during interrogation.
Officers said the livestock had been secured while investigations continue to determine whether the case is connected to cattle rustling or other related offences.
“The suspect could not provide credible evidence to establish lawful ownership of the cattle, and investigations are ongoing to identify the rightful owner,” the police said.
The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Jibrin, reiterated the command’s resolve to combat cattle rustling and other criminal activities.
He urged livestock owners and residents to continue providing useful information that would assist security agencies in preventing crime.
In another operation, police operatives intercepted three men travelling in a tricycle after becoming suspicious of their movement during a routine patrol.
A search reportedly led to the recovery of four boxes containing assorted new shoes, clothing materials and jewellery, alongside a 6kg gas cylinder, a 32-inch LG television set and a tabletop gas cooker.
The suspects were identified as Sadiq Abdullahi, 27, Muhammad Suleman, 18, and the tricycle rider, Aliyu Abubakar, 21.
Investigators said preliminary findings indicated that the suspects admitted to breaking into a residence with another accomplice identified simply as Nanu, who is currently on the run.
Police further disclosed that officers later traced the owner of the burgled residence, whose wife identified the recovered property as belonging to the family.
She, however, informed investigators that some clothing items and a gold earring were still missing.
In a separate operation, two additional suspects, Mansur Sani, 25, and Umar Muhammad, 30, were arrested after officers allegedly caught them exchanging two parcels of dry leaves suspected to be cannabis.
Bauchi police said investigations are also focused on identifying the source of the suspected illicit substance while efforts continue to arrest the fleeing burglary suspect.
Concluding their statements, police authorities in both states said investigations remain ongoing and assured that all suspects would be charged to court if sufficient evidence is established against them.