By Francesca Hangeior

The Delta State Police Command has apprehended members of a one-chance syndicate accused of targeting women in a string of robberies and assaults.

Among the suspects paraded in a post by the police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, on Tuesday is a man identified as Vincent, who described how the gang lures their victims.

Speaking at the Ughele A Division during an interview organised by the Edafe, Vincent admitted to the crimes, stating, “We pretend like we are transporters; look for vulnerable young girls. When we pick them up, another gang member joins, and we drive to a lonely road or bush. We collect their phones, open their apps, transfer their money, and sometimes assault them.”

The gang, according to Vincent, primarily targets women and avoids men.

He revealed that they operate under two scenarios: approaching women at clubs and convincing them to join, or posing as drivers to unsuspecting women on the streets.

Edafe, who led the session, explained the modus operandi further.

“They operate in two dimensions. One is that they pretend like they are transporters, look for vulnerable young girls. They don’t target men. They target young girls. Pretend like they want to carry them. They will carry them as passengers.

“When they get to about 100 metres away, another of their gang members will be waiting. They will now enter and they will now put the lady in their middle, drive them to a lonely road, at times to the bush, collect their phone, enter their mobile app, transfer all the money they have, collect their phones. At times, they will rape these ladies.

“We have one of the victims with us, though she’s scared and she does not want to talk, and you know we cannot compel her to talk,” he said.

The gang also has a connection with a woman who allegedly buys stolen wigs from them.

Speaking, the woman admitted to purchasing five wigs from one of the suspects, claiming she was unaware of sources.

By Francesca Hangeior

The Bauchi State Police Command has disclosed the arrest of one Kabiru Adamu for drug dealing.

A statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, on Tuesday said, “On 22/11/2024, operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, led by the Commander, CSP Suleiman M. Tambuwal, arrested a suspected dealer of methylene chloride (A50), popularly known as “Suck and Die,” and Diamond Rubber Solution at Tudun Wadan Dan Iya (Bayani Gari), Bauchi.

“The raid resulted in the arrest of Kabiru Adamu ‘m’ Igbo Quarters and the recovery of the following items: 264 pieces of OSHN Diamond Rubber Solution, 19 30ml bottles of suspected methylene chloride (‘Suck and Die’), and 363 empty bottles.”

Wakil noted that during interrogation, the suspect confessed that he received the items from his boss and was paid after selling them.

He further confessed that “each bottle of ‘Suck and Die’ costs N300, while each piece of Diamond Rubber Solution is sold for N250.”

In a related development, the PPRO disclosed the arrest of a suspect involved in a string of crimes, including criminal conspiracy, trespassing, fabrication of keys, instrument of store breaking, and theft.

He stated, “The suspect, Ukasha Adamu, a 23-year-old male residing around Ajiya Adamu Road, Bauchi metropolis, was arrested on November 11, 2024.

“Adamu’s arrest is the result of a meticulous investigation conducted by the State Intelligence Department (SID), which uncovered a complex web of criminal activities.”

The statement maintained that the investigation revealed that, “The suspect and his accomplices had been systematically surveilling various stores in Bauchi metropolitan, inspecting keyholes, and replicating keys to access stores and steal valuable properties.

“This modus of operandi has significant implications for public safety and economic growth, as it highlights the vulnerability of businesses and individuals to targeted theft.”

Wakil disclosed items recovered to include 150 bags of 25kg parboiled rice, valued at N6,000,000, 43 cartons of I.R.S. spaghetti, valued at N774,000, 20cartons of Emperor vegetable oil, valued at N1,440,000, and 42 cartons of liquid fertilizer for product, valued at N5,040,000.

“The total value of the recovered goods is approximately N13, 254,000.”

By Francesca Hangeior

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a vigilante operative while fleeing with a gun.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said one pump action gun wrapped in a bag of rice was recovered from the suspect at Nkwelle-Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ikenga added that police operatives attached to 3-3 Police Divisional headquarters led by CSP Emeka Obi, acting on credible information, arrested the suspect on Friday.

He said, “Police operatives attached to 3 Police Divisional headquarters led by CSP Emeka Obi acting on credible information on 22/11/2024 by 6:38pm arrested one Enediong Bassey ‘M’ 25yrs, a native of Ikono LGA of Akwa Ibom State, and recovered one Pump action gun wrapped in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a security outfit/vigilante and was about to escape with the gun to join his criminal gang for armed robbery and other unpatriotic activities.

“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the Police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state.”

He stated that the CP also directed the suspect’s immediate transfer to the command’s anti-robbery squad for comprehensive investigations.