Gombe State Police Command has gunned down a suspected kidnapper who tried to escape, arrested another one and recovered catches of firearms from their hideouts in Yankari forest.
The feat was a result of the proactive measures on crime prevention and active collaboration of the Police Command with local Vigilante/Hunters groups which has continued to yield positive results in stemming the tide of heinous crimes and criminalities in the State.
According to a press release from the Command PPRO, ASP Mahid Mu’azu Abubakar, ”on 19/08/2022 at about 1500hrs, there was credible information received by Divisional Police Officer of Pindiga Division that some suspected kidnappers were planning to strike a target around Pindiga, Akko LGA of Gombe State.
”The Police patrol team in collaboration with Vigilante and Hunters group intercepted two suspects at Tudun Kwaya village of Billiri LGA, one Sani Shehu aged 25 years and Mohammed Sani Adamu aged 23 years both from Dukku LGA of Gombe State, en route their secret rendezvous at Yankari forest in neighbouring Bauchi State.”
On interrogation, the suspects were said to have confessed to being members of a kidnapping syndicate terrorizing residents of Pindiga, Akko LGA.
During preliminary investigations, the kingpin, one Sani Shehu led the operatives to where they hid their weapons inside Yankari forest, one AK-47 rifle, two magazines loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition, one fabricated sterling rifle, a locally made revolver pistol with a pair of Army camouflage uniform were recovered from the forest.
According to the Police, Sani Shehu who attempted to escape was hit by a bullet, was rushed to General Hospital, Kashere where he was certified dead by a medical Doctor while the corpse was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.
Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Ishola Babatunde Babaita has directed that the case be transferred to State CID Gombe for discreet investigation and prosecution.
The CP further enjoined all peace-loving citizens and residents alike in the state to continue to partner and co-operate with the Police by providing useful information on any suspicious individuals or persons in their domain.
Ishola Babaita also assured the citizens that all information given shall be treated with the utmost confidentiality.