The Jigawa State police have apprehended six individuals, among them a 29-year-old Nigerien, who are suspected of being involved in the illegal supply of firearms, acts of vandalism, and motorcycle theft.
ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Command, confirmed the arrests in a statement provided to The Punch on Wednesday.
The statement identified the individuals arrested for their involvement in the illegal firearms supply as Bilal Faraji, a 29-year-old citizen of Niger Republic, and Yusuf A. Yusuf, a 28-year-old from Kazaure LGA, Jigawa State.
According to Sadiq, both suspects have been recognized as suppliers of firearms and ammunition to criminal elements operating in the Ringim area and its vicinity.
He further elaborated that during questioning, the suspects confessed to their roles in the sale and distribution of firearms in both Kano and Jigawa States, thereby implicating themselves in criminal activities.
Sadiq emphasized that these arrests followed a series of criminal incidents, including a burglary that transpired on September 28, 2023.
“One Sagiru Musa, a resident of Kakikankare village in Ringim LGA, reported that four armed individuals forcefully entered his residence, stealing his green-coloured Golf 3 wagon with registration number RNG 691 AA Jigawa State.
According to him, in addition to the vehicle, they also took two Tecno phone keypads.
“The stolen vehicle contained various personal documents and valuable items such as an ATM card, Voter card, National ID card, Custom duty, Vigilante ID card, and vehicle particulars.
He added that another incident took place on September 9, 2023, when Alhaji Ibrahim Jeke, the Chief Security Officer at Dutse International Airport, reported the theft of an air conditioning unit and the vandalism of cable wires used for the glide slope and VOR systems at the airport.
“Prompted by the report, the Divisional Police officer mobilized a team to investigate the crime scene and apprehend the culprits.
“Fortunately, on 29th September, 2023, three suspects were apprehended in connection with the airport burglary.
Sadiq identified the suspects as Mutari Idris, Adamu Idris, and Yasir Iliyasu, who were residents of Bakin Ruwa village in Dutse LGA, Jigawa State, and Kara Makama village in Ajingi LGA, Kano State.
He maintained that during a search of their residences, the police recovered four cartridges of a pump-action firearm, an axe, earth cables, connection wire condoms, armoured cables, and air conditioning fan blades.
“Upon interrogation, the suspects admitted to trespassing the airport premises and engaging in the vandalism of valuables,” he added.