From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have foiled an armed robbery attempt, arresting one suspect and neutralizing another.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansir Hassan and made available to the media in Kaduna Sunday.
The statement reads: “Acting on credible intelligence that a Land Cruiser, robbed at gunpoint in Abuja, was being transported to Kaduna, a team of detectives was dispatched to the Kwangila Flyover in Sabon Gari, Zaria.
“At about 07:10 hours, one Mubarak Kabiru, a male resident of Kurna Fagge, Kano State, arrived at the location and was arrested in connection with the robbery.
The PPRO stated that a 2024 model black Toyota Land-Cruiser SUV, bearing Zamfara State registration number, was recovered from the suspect as he was attempting to fabricate a new key for the vehicle.
He disclosed that, upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was on his way to deliver the stolen vehicle to an accomplice in Niamey, Niger Republic, who is currently at large.
“Preliminary investigations confirmed that the vehicle was stolen at gunpoint in front of a hotel in Garki, in Abuja, by four armed men who shot the driver four times.
“In the same vein, On 19th October 2024, while enforcing the restriction of Movement for the 2024 Kaduna State local government election, the Police patrol team of Millennium City Division intercepted an unregistered red 2012 Toyota Corolla saloon car.
“Upon sighting the police officers, the suspect driving the vehicle parked it from a distance and fled the scene to an unknown destination.
ASP Masir further stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle belonged to a resident of the Gwiwa Low-Cost area in Sokoto, Sokoto State.
He disclosed that the car was reported stolen on 18th October 2024 around 1100 hours along Bello Way in Sokoto, and efforts are currently underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“Also, On 20th October 2024, at about 0030 hours, The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Makarfi received a distress call that a house was invaded by a group of about 30 armed robbers.”
In swift action, according to him, the DPO led a police patrol team to the scene, where they engaged the assailants in a gunfight.
“The superior firepower of the police forced the robbers to flee the scene, leaving behind one of their gang members who had been fatally shot during the encounter. A fully loaded AK-47 magazine was recovered from the pocket of the deceased suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Gygon Augustine Grimah, commended the officers for their prompt response and bravery and assured the public that the Command will continue its relentless efforts to ensure that the whole of Kaduna State remains peaceful.
