The Jigawa State Police Command has apprehended 1,254 suspects connected to crimes including armed robbery, cattle rustling, drug trafficking, theft, and rape in a significant crackdown on criminal activities throughout 2024. The announcement was made on Tuesday by Police Commissioner AT Abdullahi during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Dutse.
The arrests, attributed to enhanced strategies and active community collaboration, include notable cases such as the apprehension of eight armed robbery suspects in Gwaram on November 20, 2024, who have since been charged to court. Another disturbing case involved Sani Abdullahi, arrested on November 21, 2024, for sodomizing 12 minors in Basirka town. The suspect confessed to the crime and is currently on trial.
The police also recorded major breakthroughs in combating drug trafficking and vandalism. On December 10, 2024, two suspects were arrested for vandalizing streetlight armoured cables in Gantsa, while a significant bust on November 29 led to the arrest of drug baron Sani Bashir with 23 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and 100 packets of robber solution.
A detailed breakdown of the year’s operations revealed the arrest of 88 armed robbery suspects, 19 kidnap suspects, 120 suspected rapists, 158 culpable homicide suspects, and 869 others involved in various offenses. The Command also recovered 17 firearms, 82 motorcycles and vehicles, 276 rustled animals, and a variety of drugs, including 622 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 1,274 packets of robber solution, and 408 tablets of Tramadol.
The Commissioner praised the role of the Inspector-General of Police, the Jigawa State Government, traditional rulers, and citizens in supporting the Command’s operations. He reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining safety in the state while urging the public to provide accurate and timely information to aid the fight against crime.
