859 suspects arrested, 46 kidnap victims rescued in Plateau – Police
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of 859 individuals in Plateau State for various offences, including armed robbery and kidnapping, during the outgoing year.
The state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, made this disclosure on Friday while briefing journalists about the latest arrest of 27 suspects, who were paraded at the command’s headquarters in Jos, the state capital.
The commissioner said, “A brief breakdown of our crime statistics for the year 2024 shows that 794 cases were reported; 859 suspects were arrested; 415 cases were charged to court; 46 kidnap victims were rescued;27 arms and 115 ammunition were recovered ”
While parading the 27 suspects on Friday among who were cultists, the commissioner
said, “On 14/12/2024 at about 19:30 am while on patrol along Agingi area of Bassa Local Government Area, our men arrested one Emmanuel Atu, a 24-year-old male based on reasonable suspicion.
“Upon conducting a thorough search on the suspect, one revolver pistol loaded with five rounds of live ammunition was recovered from his possession. During our interview of the suspect, he confessed to being a member of the Eiye Black Axe Confraternity.”
The commissioner added, “On 15/12/2024 at about 08:00am, information at our disposal revealed the activities of a gang of suspected hoodlums in possession of illegal firearms operating at Laplak Village, Pil-Gani District, Langtang North LGA.
“While acting on this information, a team of policemen led by the DPO Langtang North Division immediately swung into action and arrested four suspects, namely; one Lohkur Ponfa, Monday Seljum, Nansak Ndam, and Nanbut Napdong, all of Pil-Gani District, Langtang North LGA.
“Upon conducting an on-the-spot search on the suspects, one AK 47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 13 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspects. During our interview, the suspects, confessed to having carried out a series of Armed Robbery operations including the one of 05/08/2024, where they robbed one Chuku Emeka of opposite COCIN RCC Langtang North”.
He also disclosed that the state police command received a report at “Laranto Division on 13/12/2024 at about 09:00am, reporting that on 19/11/2024, one Rabiu Abdullahim, male, 40 years of same address went to mine at the mining site and did not return.”
According to him after three days, his lifeless, decomposing body was found along Hwol Zagam mining stream with visible marks of violence on his face.
“Upon receipt of the report, I immediately directed the DPO Laranto division to deploy men to the scene and commence investigation.
“The decomposing corpse was photographed and released to the family for burial as they refused autopsy. Upon intensifying our investigation, one Aliyu Lawal, male, 31 years of same address was arrested in connection to the offence. During our interview of the suspect, he confessed to having killed the victim and abandoned him at the mining stream,” he added.
The commissioner said that all the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion of the Investigations.
