Kaduna state Police command has arrested eight notorious armed robbery suspects, three suspected receivers and a suspected cyber criminal who specialised in unlocking phones and alteration of IMEI numbers, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan, has said.
ASP Hassan in a statement on Wednesday said, “the Kaduna state Police operatives, have successfully arrested notorious robbery suspects who have been terrorizing the areas of Barnawa, Sabon Tasha and Karji of Kaduna metropolitan area.
“On May 9, 2024, at about 3:00hrs, a surveillance patrol team from the Ungwan Rimi Division intercepted three suspects: Khalid Lawal, Abdulhamid Zubairu, and Musa Yusuf, along the Yakowa Expressway. The suspects, who were returning from a robbery operation, confessed to their crimes upon apprehension. The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
“Subsequent investigations revealed that the suspects, armed with guns, knives, and machetes, conspired with other criminals, who were later traced and arrested; Aminu Aliyu (aka Bosho), Idris Ibrahim, Musa Muhammed, Abubakar Lawal (aka Dan Master), and Alhassan Musa. They targeted several hotels within the metropolis, including Abello, Geomerry, Harmony, and Apple Gate Hotel.
“They attacked the lodgers and staff, robbing them of valuable items such as two motor vehicles (Peugeot 206 and 307), mobile phones, and computers. In one particularly violent incident, the gang severed the right hand of a victim. The mobile phones and computers have been successfully recovered but the two cars are yet to be found.
“Efforts by the police also led to the arrest of suspects who were purchasing the stolen phones. The receivers include Abubakar Yahaya, Abdullahi Abubakar, Muhammad Yusuf, and Muhammad Abdulkadir Dada who in particular specialized in unlocking phones and altering their IMEI numbers to render them untraceable.
“The Kaduna state Police command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. The Commissioner of Police Ali Audu Dabigi commends the diligent efforts of the officers involved in these successful operations and assures the public that all suspects will be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice.”
