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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police arrest four over vandalism, theft in Sokoto

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Sokoto State Police Command arrested four suspects in connection with vandalism, theft, and receiving stolen property.
  • Recovered items include a stolen motorcycle, copper wiring, and 28 grinding machines valued at millions of naira.
  • The arrests were part of coordinated operations across Sokoto metropolis aimed at curbing criminal activities.

The Sokoto State Police Command has apprehended four individuals in separate operations targeting alleged vandalism, theft, and the possession of stolen goods. The police successfully recovered a stolen motorcycle, significant amounts of copper wiring, and 28 grinding machines, collectively valued at millions of naira.

During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and disclosed that he conspired with another suspect, Aliyu, also of Kwanni area, to carry out the theft.

— Sokoto State Police Command statementDetailing the confession of a suspect involved in the vandalism and theft at the National Veterinary Research Institute.

These arrests were carried out by the command's Strike Force between July 24 and July 29 across various parts of the Sokoto metropolis. One operation stemmed from a complaint regarding a break-in at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Kwanni. A suspect, Mustapha Umar, allegedly vandalized electrical installations and stole copper wiring, a submersible pump, and garlic from the facility. He confessed to the crime and implicated an accomplice, Aliyu, also from the Kwanni area.

In another incident, police recovered a stolen red Haojue UD motorcycle less than 24 hours after it was reported missing from the Marina area. Acting on intelligence, detectives arrested Bashar Ibrahim in possession of the motorcycle in Raymond Village. The owner, Muhammed Tukur, confirmed the recovered vehicle belonged to him.

The suspect willingly confessed to stealing the motorcycle from Marina area. Detectives visited the scene and confirmed that the recovered motorcycle belonged to the complainant.

— Sokoto State Police Command statementDescribing the arrest and confession of the suspect involved in the motorcycle theft.

Furthermore, the command announced the arrest of two suspects, Chidozie Chidi and Hamza Aliyu, linked to the theft of 91 grinding and rice milling machines. During the operation, 21 complete grinding machines and seven incomplete units were recovered. The suspects are cooperating with ongoing investigations to locate the remaining machines and identify other syndicate members.

The suspects are currently in custody and assisting with investigations to determine the whereabouts of the remaining machines and identify other members of the syndicate.

— Sokoto State Police Command statementProviding an update on the investigation into the theft of grinding and rice milling machines.

Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, praised the Strike Force for their professionalism and prompt response to criminal activities, reaffirming the command's commitment to combating crime throughout the state. He emphasized the police's zero-tolerance stance and the use of proactive policing strategies.

The Sokoto State Police Command maintains a zero-tolerance stance against criminality and will continue to deploy proactive policing.

— Commissioner of Police Hayatu ShaffaReaffirming the command's commitment to combating crime in the state.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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