Taraba State Police Command Press briefing

TARABA STATE POLICE COMMAND
PRESS BRIEFING.

Gentlemen of the Press,
I welcome you once again to Taraba State Police Command Headquarters here in Jalingo to brief you about some of the recent operations and achievements recorded by the Command in our quest to ensure the safety of lives and property of members of the general public in Taraba State.
There is no doubt that the Police Command, leveraging the support and cooperation of security agencies in the state and the good people of Taraba State, have  worked assiduously to fight head-on all forms of criminality with remarkable achievements.  Some of them are presented below:

KIDNAPPING.
On 22/03/2024, Police operatives attached to  Gembu Division arrested one  Abdulkarim Ibrahim at Perogal Tunga village in Sardauna LGA. Suspect who has been terrorizing villages in the Local Government confessed to have been involved in several kidnappings. Investigation is ongoing in order to arrest his cohorts.

On 01/04/2024 at about 2246hrs, one Ahmed Debat ‘m’ of Federal University Wukari, reported at Wukari Division that, on same date at about 2130hrs, unknown gunmen invaded one Eatery belonging to one Moses Innocent Lyntapwa ‘m’ of Ranok Estate along Zaki-Biam/Wukari road and kidnapped two of his workers namely; (1) Joshua Sardauna ‘m’ and Chichi ‘f’ all students of Federal University to unknown destination.
On 04/04/2024 Operatives of the Anti- Kidnapping team  arrested one Garba  Yahaya ‘m’ of  Ali Yola village, Gassol LGA and  one Abdullahi Usman Mohammed ‘m’ of Angwan  Galadima, Yola town. The suspects confessed  to  have been involved in series of kidnapping in  Gassol  LGAand have collected  six million nine  hundred thousand naira from one Alhaji Bugga.  The sum of  eight hundred and fifty thousand and  two live  cartridges were recovered.

On  06/04/2024 , a joint team of police operatives from the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad in conjunction with a local vigilante group, arrested one Laulo Alhaji  Adamu ‘m’ of  Bamanda Village Lau LGA, a notorious kidnapper who has been terrorizing Jimlari and Marraraban Kunini villages. The suspect has confessed to the commission of series of Kidnapping. Investigation is ongoing to arrest his gang members and bring them to justice.

2) RECOVERY OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION.

i. On 13/03/2024, team of police attached to Department of Operations, team 020 while on stop and search duty along Tella to Dan’anacha Road, intercepted one Honda motorcycle conveying two passengers.
While the search was going on, the rider and the passenger took to their heels and abandoned their motorcycle and bags. Upon thorough search of the bag, the following items were found:
one locally made pistol,
thirty rounds of 5.5mm live ammunition
The motorcycle and exhibits are in custody while manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.

ii.On 31/03/2024, based on credible information, the Commanding Officer 67 PMF, led a team of Mobile Police to Gateri forest in kurmi LGA to arrest some suspected hoodlums and recoveredtwo AK 47 rifles,  loaded with 7.62 mm live ammunition. Effort to arrest fleeing suspect is ongoing.
iii.On 18/04/2024, acting on credible intelligence Police operatives from Taraba Command in conjunction with operatives from FID-STS FHQ raided a kidnapper’s hide out at Kiyayo village along Kente road Wukari LGA of Taraba State. On sighting the officers, the hoodlums engaged them in a shootout, but due to the superior fire power of the police, the criminals took to their heels and abandoned one (1) Ak47 with empty magazine. Effort is on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

iv. On 18/4/2024, a team of Police operatives in Serti Division, arrested the following; 1. Sunday Ben ‘m’ (2) Mohammed Sani ‘m’ (3) Solomon Terluta (4) Vetoria Jatau all of Gashaka LGA, who have been robbing commuters along  Addago and Kogin baba village axis.
The following exhibits were recovered; One single barrel gun, one locally made pistol, two rounds of live ammunition, three knives, one cutlass, one axe, one plier, one Itel handset and one plate number DGA 157 UY.

ARMED ROBBERY

On 22/03/2024, detectives attached to Zing Division arrested one Daniel Markus ‘m’ of Lafiya ward Zing LGA Taraba State, who attacked one Kauna Abednego with a knife and collected her phone ITEL S16  valued at Fifty thousand Naira(N50,000). 
On interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and further mentioned one Abubakar Zulu ‘m’ age 27yrs as his accomplice, who is now at large. Effort is on top gear to arrest him, while the suspect will be arraigned on completion of investigation.

ii. On 08/04/2024, Operatives from Anti-Kidnapping Squad arrested four suspects along Sibre/ Wukari Road who attacked and robbed  a tanker driver. The suspects, one Umar Ali Umar ‘m’,Mamman Danina‘m’, Mamman Bello, and Abubakar Umar ‘m’ all of Sibre Village confessed to the commission of the crime. Exhibits  recovered in their premises include one fabricated gun and three Cutlasses.

4. CULPABLE HOMICIDE

On 24/04/2024, a team of operatives attached to State Intelligence department (SID) State headquarters Jalingo, acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspects(names withheld) in connection with the killing of one Abdulmutalib Nuhu Jankada, the third class monarch of Sansani chiefdom in Gassol LGA who was shot dead at his residence on 18/04/2024. The suspects, who appear to be the masterminds of the killing of the monarch, are cooperating with the police in furtherance of the investigation.

5. CYBER-CRIME

On 11/04./2024,a team of Police detectives attached to State Intelligence Department (SID), Taraba State Command arrested one Mohammed Ismail ‘m’ 32years old, for posing as police officer and defrauded, by way of  extorting gullible and high-profile personalities. Investigation has also revealed that his phone contains police signals of postings and transfers of both junior and senior officers which he uses to deceive unsuspecting victims. Other indicting evidence against the suspect are the pictures in his phone gallery, where he dressed in police uniform, mostly camouflage, posing with AK47 riffle, Berretta, Pistol and other police accoutrements to intimidate people. A toy gun was recovered. The case is still under investigation to arrest his collaborators within and outside the Police Force.

7   BANDITRY
i. On 08/04/2024, Police operatives of FID-STS in conjunction with Taraba State Command arrested and recovered 57 rounds of 7.62mm of live ammunition from  one Ayo John  ‘m’ 30yrsof Avaase village,  Wukari Local Government.

The suspect confessed to have been involved in buying and selling of arms and ammunition to kidnappers within Ibi, Wukari and Donga area of Taraba State. Investigation is ongoing.
ii. On 13/04/2024, based on credible information FID-STS in conjunction with Taraba State Command arrested six notorious bandits terrorizing Taraba State namely: 1. Ibrahim Shehu 30yrs old , ‘m’ of  Donga town, 2. Ibrahim Ardo 30yrs ‘m’ of Donga, 3. Ibrahim Ahmodu 50yrs ‘m’ of Bantaje and 4. Tambaya Ardo 35yrs ‘m’ of Donga, 5. Bature Ardo ‘m’ of Donga and 6. Ado Ardo 30yrs ‘m’ of Donga.  The following exhibits were recovered;
1. Three (3) AK47 rifle
2.  Four (4) AK47 magazines
3.  Five rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition.
The suspects have confessed to have been terrorizing Takum, Donga, Marraraba and Yorro Town.They are also responsible for the killing of Damo Baka ‘m’ of Donga. Investigation is in progress.
iii. On 14/04/2024, operatives of FID-STS in conjunction with Taraba State Command while acting on  credible intelligence, arrested three notorious bandits terrorizing the community namely; (1) Ibrahim Mohammed, 50yrs ‘m’ of Shinkafi Local Government of Zamfara State, (2)Rabiu Abdullahi ,40yrs ‘m’ of sabon-layi, Jalingo Town,’m’ and (3) Umar Usman Wara.
The following exhibits were recovered; One (1) AK47 riffle and 85 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition. The culprits are responsible for terrorizing Gassol, Jalingo, Yorro and Takum, they  also confessed to have supplied over fifty (50)  AK47/AK49 and over 3000 live ammunition to a most wanted terrorist Ali Kachalla and other Bandit Camps in Niger, Zamfara Katsina and Taraba states. Their main source has allegedly been  Umar Usman Wara. Case still under investigation.

8. CATTLE RUSTLING.
   On 06/04/2024, the Commander 67 PMF Takum, Taraba State, received a complaint from the chairman Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Southern Zone, that one hundred and two (102) cows suspected to be stolen were seen at Gatari Village, Kurmi LGA wandering without shepherds. The cows were recovered and under investigation to trace their owners.

9  CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND THEFT.
On 24/4/2024, a team of Police operatives attached to Sukani Division arrested one Nasiru Mohammed ‘m’  and Haruna  Mohammed ‘m’ both of Gwalam village Naman LGA, for theft. Their modus operandi entails putting strong intoxicants into soft drinks which they offer to unsuspecting tricycle riders in order to snatch their tricycle.  Suspects were arrested and confessed to have committed the offence. A tricycle was recovered.
10.  IGP AWARD AND COMMENDATION
An act of professionalism exhibited by policemen at kwanti-napu checkpoint, The Inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun phd,npm awarded Ap no:246517 Inspr  Usman Haruna, Ap No:362385 Inspr Ngamarju Gambo, Ap no:362424 Inspr Difference Tih and F/no:517199  Cpl Zarudeen Mamuda, personnel attached to 40 PMF Jalingo, Taraba State as best patrol team of the year. That on 29/01/2024, at about 1100hrs the officers intercepted Toyota starlet ash in color with registration number YLA 321 conveying three passengers. A search was conducted in the vehicle and the sum of eight million, five hundred and fifty five thousand was recovered in their possession, and the culprit offered the whole amount as bribe in other to allow them go but the officers rejected it. This act of professionalism and integrity is highly commendable as it is in line with zero-tolerance to corruption as enjoined by the Inspector General of Police.   

SUMMARY OF SUSPECTS ARRESTED AND ITEMS          RECOVERED
28 Suspects arrested 
7 AK47 rifles.
2 locally made pistol
1 Berretta
4.30 5.5mm live ammunitions
5. 128 7.62mm ammunitions
6. 1 Honda Motorcycle.
7. 2 live Cartridges 
8. 3 knives, 1 cutlass, 1 axe, 1 plier, 1 Itel handset, 1 plate number.
9. 1 Tricycle
10. Eight hundred and fifty thousand naira cash.
11. 102 cows.
12. One Lar rifle
13. Two SMG rifle
14. One fabricated AK47 rifle.
15. Fourteen (14) Magazines

Let me use this medium to thank the Governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas  for his commitment to combating crime and all forms of criminality in  the state and his continuous support to security agencies in ensuring that the state is peaceful and conducive for all to go about their businesses.
Finally, Taraba State Police Command will continue to remain committed to upholding law and order. We commend the dedication of our officers and men and also urge the public to continue to cooperate with the police at all levels and volunteer vital information to aid the fight against crime.
Thank you.

CP. DAVID ILOYANOMON
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
TARABA STATE COMMAND,
JALINGO.