Police smash theft ring, arrest eight suspects with stolen goods in Yobe

Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested eight suspected members of a notorious theft syndicate and stolen goods recovered in a major operation following a rise in shop breaking, shoplifting and theft across Damaturu metropolis.

The Police Command disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim.

According to the statement, the operation was carried out on Monday by the operative of ‘A’ Division Damaturu in collaboration with vigilante members, following credible intelligence on criminal activities in the affected areas.

“Following recent reports of shop breaking, theft and criminal activities within Abbari, Nasarawa and Gwange areas of Damaturu metropolis, the Command carried out a coordinated operation,” the statement noted.

Those arrested are: Abdullahi Musa, 18, of Abbari; Khalifa Mohammed, 20, of Gwange; Alhassan Ali, 21, of Nayinawa; Ibrahim Shehu, 21, of Abbari; Ali Mohammed, 22, of Abbari; Abba Shetima, 21, of Pompomari; Boniface Cosmos, 25, of Jerusalem; and Sakinat Usman, 46, of Nasarawa.

The Command said preliminary investigation linked the group to a series of burglary, shoplifting and theft incidents in the areas and that the suspects have confessed to the crimes and are currently assisting the police in the ongoing investigation.

Items recovered include: two five-litre gallons of Kings vegetable oil, forty packs of Indomie noodles, one hundred and thirty-two sachets of Peak powdered milk and three Android mobile phones.

Police added that efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen items and arrest other fleeing accomplices for prosecution.

The Command also urged business owners and residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities promptly.