The Gombe State Police Command says its latest security operations have yielded “significant operational breakthroughs” with the arrest of multiple suspects for offences including rape, armed robbery, theft, vandalism, and the unlawful removal of railway infrastructure.
Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi, in a Tuesday briefing, detailed that the operations were carried out between August 9 and 11 across Funakaye, Yamaltu Deba, Kwami, and Gombe LGAs.
One of the key incidents took place on August 10, when officers in Bajoga intercepted 18 pieces of iron pipes, electric cables, and railway track bolts hidden in bags at the Ashaka Cement Motor Park in Funakaye. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the iron pipes belong to Ashaka Cement Company, while the cables and bolts are suspected to have been vandalised along the Bajoga–Jalingo Road,” Abdullahi said. The suspect involved escaped before police arrived, but efforts to track him are ongoing.
On August 9, the Command made another breakthrough in Kwadon with the arrest of 18-year-old Hassan Aminu Sadiq from Yelwa Quarters. He was found with a roll of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to involvement in two separate armed robbery cases currently pending before the High Court, Gombe,” Abdullahi revealed. The suspect’s case has been transferred to the Anti-Violence Squad.
In a separate operation in Zambuk, Yamaltu Deba LGA, police arrested 55-year-old Mohammed Tukur of Sabon Gari Village over allegations of raping a 12-year-old girl, identified as Zulei Malam Dahiru. Police said they visited the scene, rushed the victim to General Hospital Zambuk for medical examination, and detained the suspect. The Command stressed its zero tolerance for sexual violence and urged residents to report cases without delay.
The operation also uncovered a railway theft syndicate. On August 11, a Gona Division patrol intercepted three men — Haruna Aliyu, 20; Adamu Aliyu, 20; and Umar Ibrahim, 18 — with 19 railway steel slippers loaded in a Toyota pick-up van at Nassarawo Quarters. “Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to removing the items from the railway line at Nassarawo,” Abdullahi stated. Four more suspects — Amir Muhammad, 25; Mubarak Garba, 25; Yusuf Umar, 25; and Sadiq Saidu, 23 — alleged to be receivers of the stolen property, were later apprehended.
Photographic evidence of the recovered materials has been secured, and the case is now with the State Criminal Investigation Department for prosecution.
Commending his officers, Commissioner of Police Bello Yahaya vowed continued vigilance. “We will not relent in our efforts to rid Gombe State of criminal elements. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” he said.