The Police in Yobe State, north-east Nigeria, say it has, in collaboration with various security agencies in the state, been mapping out professional strategies aimed at reducing crimes to the bearers’ minimum in the state and beyond.
The statement is coming amidst waves of the severe security challenges in the state and other parts of the north-east sub region.
Giving account of the current security situation in the state within the last two months, the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Markus Danladi, says the measures taken within the period led to the arrest of over 40 suspects for various criminal offences.
Some of the criminal offences, according to him, include armed robbery, man hunting, theft among others, stressing that while some of the suspects have been prosecuted, some are still being investigated.
“The command has also re-engineered stop and search strategy in a more professional approach that is result oriented. These measures have yielded positive results leading to the arrest of more than 40 suspects in various offences with successful prosecutions in some of the cases. However, some of the cases are still under investigation,” the CP said.
Citing instances of the armed robbery cases, the CP said some armed robbery suspects stole 218 cows with the killing of the security guard and after trailing the bandits; two suspects were arrested with the recovery of 1 AK 47 rifle and 53 rounds of ammunition, one locally made Pistol, 118 cows, 38 sheep.
He noted that the suspects would be charge to court after detailed investigation.
He also said following information in Damaturu the state capital, the police recently raided criminal hideouts and arrested 18 suspects who could not give satisfactory account of themselves, as they will be charge to court for prosecution.
Mr Markus Danladi said sustained raids of criminal hideouts across the state was being intensified while stop and search strategy would be re-engineered with the aim of curtailing the operation of criminals and bandits in the state.
While commending the cordial working relationship between the police among other security agencies in the state, he appreciated the harmonious cooperation of the law abiding people of the state for their efforts towards the restoration of peace in the state and called for its sustenance.
The CP also thanked the state government for its encouragement and assistance to the command, which has boosted its morale in curbing crime in the state and beyond.
Since 2009, Yobe, like Borno and Adamawa States, have been under severe security challenges motivated by the dreaded Boko Haram rebels a situation that has led to free flow of arms in the hands of criminals which has claimed several lives and property within the three states.
It is also under a state of emergency that has lasted or over a year.