Gombe: Police arrest traditional ruler for alleged rape of 12-year-old girl

Gombe State Police Command has announced the recovery of vandalised electric cables, iron pipes, and railway track bolts in Bajoga, and the arrest of a Ward Head for a suspected case of rape.

The Command also apprehended a serially wanted armed robber with Indian hemp and arrested seven suspects for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and theft of railway line steel sleepers.

Under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Yahaya, the Command informed the general public of recent significant operational successes recorded in various parts of the state through the PPRO, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, in a statement made available to journalists in Gombe on Wednesday.

The suspected vandalised items were recovered in Bajoga, where the suspects were arrested. The arrest of a wanted serial armed robber was effected in Kwadon, while a 55-year-old suspect was apprehended for alleged rape in Zambuk, and seven suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and theft of railway line steel sleepers.

The PPRO narrated that on 10/08/2025 at about 15:30 hrs, Bajoga Division received a distress call from Ashaka Cement Motor Park, Funakaye LGA, reporting that at about 15:00 hrs, unknown person(s) had brought into the park eighteen pieces of iron pipes, electric cable wires, and railway track bolts concealed in bags, allegedly to be transported to Potiskum, Yobe State.

Upon receipt of the information, a team of policemen led by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) swiftly mobilised to the scene and recovered all the exhibits, while the suspect(s) fled before police arrival.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the iron pipes belonged to Ashaka Cement Company, while the cables and bolts are suspected to have been vandalised along the Bajoga–Jalingo Road. Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the fleeing suspect(s).

Also, on 09/08/2025 at about 14:30 hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of Kwadon Division arrested one Hassan Aminu Sadiq, aged 18, of Yelwa Quarters, Kwadon, in possession of 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.

The recovered exhibit has been transferred to the Anti-Violence Squad for further investigation and prosecution.

Furthermore, on 09/08/2025 at about 21:00 hrs, Zambuk Division received a report that Mohammed Tukur, aged 55, of Sabon Gari Village, Zambuk, Yamaltu Deba LGA, had allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl, Zulei Malam Dahiru, of the same address.

Police visited the scene, rushed the victim to General Hospital Zambuk for medical examination, and arrested the suspect. Investigation is ongoing.

The Command strongly condemned all forms of sexual violence and urged residents to promptly report cases for swift action.

Finally, on 11/08/2025 at about 20:30 hrs, a patrol team from Gona Division, while on routine surveillance at Nassarawo Quarters, Gombe, intercepted the following suspects: Haruna Aliyu, 20 years; Adamu Aliyu, 20 years; and Umar Ibrahim, 18 years; all of Nassarawo and Yelenguruza Quarters, in possession of nineteen pieces of high-quality railway steel sleepers loaded in a white Toyota pick-up van with registration number KSF 290 CU.

Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to removing the items from the railway line at Nassarawo Quarters.

Further investigation led to the arrest of four more suspects: Amir Muhammad, 25 years; Mubarak Garba, 25 years; and Yusuf Umar, 25 years (receiver); as well as Sadiq Saidu, 23 years (receiver). All confessed to their involvement.

The exhibits were photographed, and investigation is ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police commended the swift response of all divisions involved, reiterated the Command’s commitment to the protection of lives, property, and public infrastructure, and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

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