The Yobe State Police Command has arrested five suspects in separate operations over alleged fraud and the vandalism of electricity infrastructure in the state.
The command’s spokesman, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, said operatives of the ‘A’ Division in Damaturu arrested two suspects for allegedly fraudulently obtaining food items from a shop along the Ajari-Gashua Road.
He said the incident occurred on July 31 when an accomplice allegedly impersonated the complainant during a phone call and fraudulently obtained one carton of OBA spaghetti and two half bags of parboiled rice.
Following a discreet investigation, detectives arrested the two suspects, who allegedly confessed during interrogation. The stolen food items were recovered, while investigations are ongoing ahead of prosecution.
In a separate operation, Abdulkarim said the Fika Divisional Police Headquarters received a report on Thursday that unknown persons had vandalised a community transformer and stolen its power cable.
Police operatives, working with community members and local vigilantes, tracked one suspect found with the stolen cable. The suspect allegedly confessed, leading to the arrest of two other suspects linked to the crime.
The recovered cable has been registered as an exhibit, while investigations continue to uncover other members of the alleged criminal network.
The command is also investigating a case of grievous hurt reported at the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters.
According to Abdulkarim, preliminary findings showed that a 22-year-old suspect allegedly attacked another man with a bow and arrow after finding him in a compromising situation with his wife near her parents’ residence in Danewa-Biriri Village, Tarmuwa Local Government Area.
The victim is receiving treatment at the Police Hospital in Damaturu, while the suspect remains in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
The Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, urged residents to remain law-abiding and avoid taking the law into their own hands, reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property and critical national assets across the state.
