The Bauchi State Police command has arrested over 50 suspects involved in kidnapping and other related offenses in the state. It has also rescued 49 hostages.
The state Commissioner of Police, Haliru Abubakar Gwandu, disclosed this at a press conference in Bauchi on Wednesday.
He said that the 50 include 35 suspected kidnappers, 12 armed robbery suspects, five cattle rustlers and one police impersonator.
He further disclosed that 45 suspects had been charged to court while 23 others were under investigations.
Arms and ammunition recoverd from the suspects, according to him, are three AK 47 rifles, one AK 49 rifle, 10 fabricated guns, six pistols, one toy pistol, 303 rounds of live ammunition of 7.62mm, six rounds of 7.5m live ammunition and seven cartridges.
Other exhibits recoverd are four vehicles, eight Bajaj Motorcycles , one Jincheng robber motorcycle, 171 cows, 133 sheep and goats, N176,770 cash, fabricated master keys, 11 handsets, police warrant card and complete set of police uniform.
Gwandu lamented that the state was confronted with numerous security challenges such as threat of insurgency, kidnaping, armed banditry, cattle rustling, rape as well as other violent crimes, noting that “the location of Balmo Forest in Darazo council, Buzum Forest in Ganjuwa council, Yuga Forest in Toro LG and Yankari Games Reserve in Alkaleri LG provided a cover for criminals. He added: “There has been an upsurge in kidnappings of local in those areas for ransom recently after which suspects hide inside the forests which makes it difficult for the the law-enforcement agencies to apprehend them due to difficult terrain, poor communication network and scattered settlements”.
He thereby assured members of the public of the command’s readiness to ensure safety and security in the state despite the challenges.
.Source: Nigerianewsflight.com
