By Janet John, LAFIA
The Nasarawa state Police Command, on Wednesday, paraded 42 suspects for alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, cultism and rail line vandalism in the different locations in the state.
The commissioner of Police in Nasarawa state, CP Bola Longe, while parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters in Lafia, the state capital, said 12 vandals , 24 armed robbery/kidnapping suspects, two rape suspects, and six cultists have been arrested by his men.
According to him, Six fire arms, eight live ammunition, one vehicle, and one handset were recovered from the suspects.
“On 26 /05/2021 at about 11:30am, information was received by Police personnel attached to Area Command, Keffi from a public spirited individual that, a commercial motorcyclist was attacked by suspected armed robbers along Pyanko road, Keffi.
Longe said that Police operatives who were on vehicular patrol close to the area raced to the scene, after a hot chase, arrested one Nwafor “M”23year old resident of Keffi LGA of the state.
Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that, himself and other members of his gang from FCT Abuja came to Keffi and lodge at Kumbo Hotel along Keffi-Nasarawa road on a mission to rob designated houses at Federal Medical Centre quarters, Keffi before the arrest.
“Furthermore, the Police operatives moved to Kumbo Hotel in search of other members of the gang and one Afam Okoh ‘M’ 26yrs of Kabusa Area 1, FCT Abuja who on sighting the Police, scaled through the fence of the hotel in a bid to escape arrest but was shot on his left leg and arrested and taken to hospital for treatment.
“One Italian made pistol with breach number ITANFOGLIO/GUISPE was recovered from him as exhibit,” the CP added.
CP Bola Longe
According to the CP, an Expanded investigation into the case, led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate and their arms supplier namely: Valentine ‘M’ 27yrs , Ikechukwu ‘M’ 28yrs and Justice ‘M’ and 50 year old Mukailu whom was the arms supplier to the syndicate and receiver of stolen vehicles from the criminal gang.
One Lexus ES300, Black in colour with registration number PHC 220 MS RIVERS snatched at gun point by the group in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State and one English Baretta pistol were also recovered from the suspects as exhibits.
CP Longe also disclosed that 12 persons have been arrested by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit for allegedly vandalizing railway sleepers in Gudi, Akanga LGA and Mararaba area of Karu LGA.
Three welding Machines and one Filling Machine were recovered from the suspects.
Longe thanked members of the public for cooperating with the police to ensure criminals are taken off the streets by providing useful information that leads to their arrests, as he called for sustenance.
He charged the people to be more vigilant especially people living along railway routes and its environs and to report any untoward activities to the Police.
“The responsibility of protecting and safeguarding public assets rest on all of us and people should not hesitate to inform the Police or other security agencies of suspicious moves or activities in their areas,” he said.
