Arrest of Four Robbery Suspects Terrorising  communities on the Plateau

The arrest of four persons suspected to be armed robbery kingpins by Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team at the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB/IRT) of the Nigeria Police have been made. These kingpins have been allegedly terrorising Shendam area and other neighbouring communities in Plateau State.

Stating this was the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday in Abujal.

Arrests were of the suspects were made after security operatives, following several complaints from residents about the activities of the gang in the locality.

The names of the suspects include Mij Yawa Buba ‘m’ 36, Saidu Manu Saleh ‘m’ 30, Saleh Musa ‘m’ 20, and Ibrahim Deri ‘m’ 27 – all natives of Shendam in Plateau State.

Saleh Musa, key suspect nabbed by the police personell in a raid through a tip off of his intentions buy an AK47 rifle in the town.

When interrogated on why he intended on purchasing a riffle, he called out Ibrahim (alias Alhaji) as one of the gang members in their syndicate who was responsible for major robbery and kidnapping operations.

Further investigations also led to the arrest of Miji Yawa Buba – a resident of Angwar Yargam in the same community where the rifle was found and recovered by the security operatives.

Manu Saidu, in his confessiona, stated that he conspired with some of his cousins names of which are as follows : Bareli Bello, Hussaini Bello, Abdo Baleri, Isa Baleri and Ibrahim Baleri, as well as his two younger brothers Yuguda Saidu and Yahaya Saidu (now late), to buy an AK47 rifle to protect their cattle.

Adding that purchase of the rifle was from a Baba Mallam at Yelwa for N300,000 while the weapon was usually kept at the house of Alhaji Baleri.

Saleh Saidu confessed that it was Ibrahim Deri who asked him to get 60-round ammunition for the rifle at Shendam, saying they had a good relationship.

He confessed to having participated in the armed robbery at a provision store owned by one Alhaji Muntari in Shendam and robbed him of N200,000, but denied involvement in any kidnapping.

Following reports gathered, the gang was also alleged to have robbed many people and pharmacy outlets in the town, during which a pharmacist identified as Ibrahim Babawuro in Shendam community sustained gunshot wounds.

One of the suspects claimed he pulled the trigger to test the gun. He, however, denied knowledge of the gang leader Saleh.

However, in his statement, he told the police team that he was a herder and owned a herd of 30 cows.

Among the items recovered from the crime scene included one AK47 assault rifle and some assorted ammunition.

(ChannelsTV)