The Nasarawa State Police Command has paraded 61 suspected criminals arrested for various crimes in the state including a member of the gang responsible for the gruesome murder of Terkula Suswam, the brother to former Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam.
Briefing newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Lafia on Friday, July 23, the Commissioner of Police, AIG Bola Longe, said the suspects included six suspected hired assassins, 2 railway vandals, 38 suspected cultists, 5 kidnappers and 8 robbery suspects.
Longe said the suspected assassins had concluded plans to strike at some locations in Karu Local Government Area of the state and eliminate some persons.
“Sequel to credible information at the disposal of the Police command, which indicated that, a group of dare-devil robbers/assassins had concluded plans to strike at some locations within Karu LGA and eliminate their victims in the process. They intended carrying out this atrocious act around Uke, Nyanya Gwandara areas and along Keffi-Abuja express road. Consequently, the Police Command raised a formidable team of detectives and operational personnel as a proactive step to prevent them from actualizing their aim and also arrest these criminal elements,” Longe stated.
The police boss boss further said: “This measure paid off on 2/7/2021 at about 1930hrs, when a vehicle conveying the syndicate, comprising seven members were trailed and blocked at a spot along Keffi- Abuja road and the suspected occupants of the vehicle namely: (i) Paul Aba (ii) Fredrick James (iii) Tersoo Zugu (iv) Saalumun Waako A.k.A Osama (v) Kenneth Samuel (vi) Simon Achano all males were arrested, while the 7th member of the gang escaped.
“Consequently, a thorough search of the suspect’s vehicle and their criminal hide- out was conducted and the following exhibits recovered: Two Berreta Pistol, Three Volkswagen Golf cars which they admitted were bought from the proceeds of their nefarious activities and deployed for criminal activities.
“However, preliminary investigation has revealed that one of the suspects, Saalumun Waako is a member of the criminal gang responsible for the gruesome killing of one Terkula Suswam, said to be an elder brother to Senator Gabriel Suswam on March 2, 2021 at Ayin village, Logo LGA of Benue State.
“The suspect (Saalumun Waako) who has also been on the wanted list of Benue Police Command for offences ranging from kidnapping, homicide to armed robbery has however been handed over to Benue State Police Command for further investigation. Meanwhile, investigation is being intensified at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia,” he added.
The CP also paraded some vandals who had been in the business of buying and selling railway tracks and slippers in the state.
He said: “In continuation of the Police Command’s relentless operations against railway tracks/slippers vandals, spearheaded by the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Command, one Isah Abubakar ‘M’ 48 yrs of Mada station, Nasarawa Eggon LGA was arrested on 15/07/2021 at about 0220hrs. A stock pile of vandalized rail tracks / slippers was discovered in his house,”
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and led the Police to arrest one Osaji Anthony `m` 55yrs, the Principal Technical Officer (PTO), Nigerian Railway Corporation office at Mada Station as the person that sold the vandalized rail tracks/slippers to him at the rate of fifty five thousand naira (N55,000) only.
In a related development, on 17/07/2021 at about 0330hrs, Police personnel of the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Nasarawa State Police Command led by CSP Aniette Eyoh, while working on credible intelligence, intercepted one Citroen J5 Bus, white colour with recently (fresh) vandalized rail tracks at Agyragu, Obi LGA.
On sighting the Police, the occupants of the vehicle abandoned it and escaped to unknown destination. Consequently, the vehicle loaded with the vandalized rail tracks and gas cylinders/machines used in cutting the rail tracks into movable sizes were recovered and taken to the station. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
Police operatives also arrested a 100L student of Nasarawa State University and an accomplice for criminal conspiracy, fraudlent transaction and unlawful possession of fake currency.
“On 4/6/2021 about 2000hrs, a distress call was received from a Point Of S ale operator (POS) that, one Hussaini Alidu “M” 25 yrs, a one hundred level student of Nasarawa state University, Faculty of Agriculture, Lafia and Yushau Hudu “M” 32 yrs came to her P.O.S stand around College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Lafia to deposit the sum of fifty thousand naira (#50,000) but she discovered eight pieces of fake naira notes in one thousand naira denomination (N1,000) out of the amount given, and when she objected to the inclusion of the fake currency, the suspects became wild and started pouring invectives on her.
Upon receipt of the information, Police personnel attached to Area Command, Lafia moved immediately to the scene and got the suspects arrested. Further investigation led to the arrest of more suspects namely: Abubakar Bala, Yahaya Ahmed, Sunday Agbougwu, Chinonso Igweonwu and Arinze Nwite and a total sum of seven million, eight hundred thousand naira (N7, 800,000) counterfeit currency (all in one thousand naira denomination) were subsequently recovered from them. In addition to this, a total sum of one million, ten thousand Dollars ($1,10,000,000) all in hundred dollars bills were recovered from the same suspects as exhibits.
The counterfeit currencies recovered have been taken to Central Bank of Nigeria for further necessary action as investigation continues at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
On 30/6/2021 about 0700hrs, a complaint was lodged at Assakio Divisional Police headquarters by a resident of the area that, on the aforementioned date at about 0100hrs, gunmen numbering about three invaded his residence at ungwan Ben, Assakio and kidnapped his son (Mohammed Yahaya Abdulkarim)
Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police officer, Assakio swiftly mobilized his men to the scene, chased the criminals to their hideout and eventually succeeded in arresting one of the kidnappers named Abdul Qayyumu Adamu “M” as he tried to escape on a motorcycle.
He admitted to being a member of the gang of kidnappers who perpetrated the dastardly act and led the Police to arrest another member of the gang named Ahdamu Adamu “M” of Assakio town. One AK47 riffle, one motorcycle and one GSM hanset were recovered from them as exhibits. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia.
On 20/06/2021 at about 1915hrs, information was received that one Uba Abdullahi “M” of Wamba road, Akwanga was kidnapped along Akwanga-Ningo expressway by unknown gunmen.
Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Akwanga in conjunction with the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Police Command swung into action. The search yielded results on 21/06/2021 at about 1215hrs when one Usman Aliyu “M” of Ruga Nunu, Ningo Sambe was arrested in connection to the crime and he mentioned his accomplices.
A thorough manhunt for other members of the criminal gang led to the arrest of Husaan Aliyu “M” on same date at about 0300hrs while Muhammed Adamu was arrested on 02/072021. Upon interrogation, the suspects all confessed to the commission of the offence.
One Dane gun and dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them as exhibits. Investigation is being intensified with a view to arrest and bring to justice all members of this criminal gang.
On 4/7/2021 about 1245hrs, while acting on credible intelligence, the duo of Esla Steven and Stanley Bitrus who are both suspected members of Black Axe confraternity were arrested in connection to the recent cult clash in Lafia and environs.
Further investigation into the case by Police personnel of the Nasarawa State Police Command led to the arrest of eight more suspects namely: Abraham Omameh, Ezekiel Joseph, Uvie Bala, Yaka Bala, all members of black Axe confraternity while Samson Joseph Ike, Jubrin Mohammed, David Clement and Thaddeus Ibrahim all members of Vikins confraternity on 6/7/2021.
One locally fabricated pistol, three 0.9mm live ammunition, two axes, eight cutlasses, eight daggers and dangerous charms were recovered from the suspects as exhibits. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lafia, upon completion; suspects will be charged to court.
On 08/7/2021 at about 2000hrs, while acting on credible intelligence, Police personnel attached to Area Command, Karu on surveillance patrol arrested one Tobi Adegbite, when a search was conducted on him, one locally fabricated berretta Pistol was recovered from him as exhibit. The suspect has confessed to be a member of a criminal gang terrorizing Karu and its environs. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
Following complaints that an impostor who at different times and places, posed or paraded himself as the Vice chancellor and Acting registrar of Federal University, Lafia respectively on social media is defrauding unsuspecting individuals of their hard earned money under the guise of awarding them contracts and securing them admission into Federal University Lafia, while in some cases claimed to be a lawyer.
However, on 24/6/2021 at about 1400hrs, Police personnel attached to State Intelligence Bureau (S.IB) in an intelligence led operation, arrested the impostor named Terver Upaa Yaji `M` 39yrs of NO-52, ERCC Bukan Sidi, Lafia. Upon diligent search, one complimentary card bearing Terver Upaa Yaji esq, LLD, LLM & Phd was recovered from him as exhibit.
The suspect also claimed to be a lecturer at Benue University, Makurdi on sabbatical leave but preliminary investigation proved that the suspect is a secondary school drop out with no means of livelihood. The suspect has confessed to the crime, and investigation is ongoing and will be charged to court afterwards.
On 29/6/2021 at about 1100hrs, while acting on credible information, Police operatives of the State intelligence Bureau arrested one Ali Musa `M` 37yrs of Agyaragu, Obi LGA on a Haujoiue Motorcycle with registration number NASARAWA QD391 NTT suspected to have been stolen.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have stolen the Motorcycle at the Nigeria Labour Congress office (Labour House) located along Makurdi road, Lafia while the union members were holding a meeting.
Findings revealed that, the suspect was an Ex-Police officer dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force some years ago on account of stealing and acts that were adjudged discreditable to the force.
Furthermore, the suspect confessed to have been responsible for stealing of motorcycles at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, College of education, Akwanga, Nasarawa State and Sanga LGA, Kaduna State. Suspect will soon be arraigned in the law court.
On 19/06/2021 at about 2045hrs, a distress call was received by the Divisional Police officer, New Karu that, suspected cultists numbering about thirty (30) were in procession in honour of one of their deceased member (Red Axe/vikins) at New Nyanya and were equally alleged to be attacking people and dispossessing them of their valuables.
Upon receipt of the information, a team of Police personnel was immediately deployed to the area. Consequently, six (6) suspects with Red Axe insignia were arrested. Effort is ongoing to arrest the other fleeing suspects. Suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
On 22/6/2021 at about 1430hrs information was received that young men of questionable character had lodged at Aniona Hotel, New Karu area of Karu LGA.
Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police officer, New Karu Division, SP Aaron Kaura swiftly mobilized and led his men to the area where over forty (40) young men between the ages of 19-20yrs were seen consuming hard drugs and smoking Indian hemp, on sighting the Police they fled to different directions but were pursued.
Consequently, twenty one (21) suspects were arrested and the following exhibits recovered from them: some quantity of hard drugs, three (3) Laptops, thirteen (13) sophisticated mobile phones of different brands and one iphone 11 pro valued at five hundred and fifty thousand naira (#550,000). Investigation is ongoing at State criminal investigation Department, Lafia.
On 1/7/2021 at about 0120hrs, a distress call was received by the Divisional Police officer, Masaka Division that, unknown armed men invaded Jhew and Nyanya Gwandara communities, shot sporadically to scare people and eventually carted away mobile phones and other valuables.
However, in reaction to this unsavory development, Police personnel attached to Masaka Division immediately raced to the scene and caught up with the armed robbers on their way out where a gun duel ensued; as a result, the duo of Ahmed Ibrahim `M` 22yrs and Abdulfatai Abdulaziz both of Nyanya Gwandara area were arrested while one Samuel Danjuma `M` of Kuchikau 1 area was seriously injured and rushed to Alkawali Hospital Masaka but later died while receiving treatment.
Two mobile phones, one torch light, one sharp object and a pair of male shorts were recovered from the suspects as exhibits. Investigation is ongoing.
