On Monday, the Plateau State Police Command defeated a gang of gunmen who were attempting to attack some Mabel community members in the Bokkos local government area of Plateau State. The villagers were returning from an evening mining site.
Additionally, the Command detained a few people who were reportedly connected to a number of different crimes.
“A distress call was received on 26/02/2024 at about 7 30pm from Mabel area, outskirts of Bokkos town that some hoodlums were trying to attack and kidnap some women while returning from mining site,” stated State Commissioner of Police Hassan Yabanet in a Tuesday interview with press in Jos.
“On receipt of the report, our surveillance team raced to the scene and rescued the women from the hoodlums who fled on sighting our team. Efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.”
On the suspects, he stated, “One Ado Abubakar, male, was arrested in connection with the kidnap of one Lawan Sale and one Sani Sale, both male of Geleji village. On 14/02/2024 at about 0800pm while acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of Policemen, Vigilantes and community youths led by the DPO Gindiri Division, combed the surrounding bushes in search of the victims.
“In the course of the search, they discovered the decomposing body of one of the victims namely, Sani Sale inside an abandoned well with his hands and legs tied with a rope. Careful observation revealed matchet cuts around his body. In the course of the investigation, one Asiya Sale, female, the wife of the victim who was together with the victim when the assailants attacked is currently helping the Police in their investigations. We are currently intensifying our efforts to arrest the other four suspects who are currently at large.
“On 13/02/2024 at about 4.55 pm, our men in conjunction with troops of OpSH Sector 8 intercepted and arrested one Wudeana Dahiru 25yrs, and one Usman Saidu both males of Kasuwan Ali at Sabon Barki along Gindiri-Mangu road, while conveying cattle suspected to have been stolen to Jos. Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one navy blue Sharon bus with an Abuja Reg. No. RBC 353 XF, Two cows, Three mobile phones, ATM cards and a cash sum of N30,200.00.
“The suspects confessed in the course of interrogation that they were sent to deliver the cows to someone in Jos. Efforts are underway to authenticate the ownership of the cattle. The suspects would be charged to court soon.”
He added, “I am pleased to inform you that we successfully repelled a planned attack against communities in Mangu LGA. On 17/02/2024 at about 1 am, we received intelligence from an anonymous caller reporting an attack at Shimlang village of Mangu LGA by armed hoodlums.
“On receipt of information, the DPO Mangu division swiftly led a team of officers stationed at Farin Kasa village and two Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun battle. The team successfully repelled the attack and forced the hoodlums to flee in disarray. Fortunately, no life was lost and no house was burnt. We have, however, stepped up patrols and surveillance in the affected areas to restore public confidence.”
