BY VICTORIA IKEANO

Nasarawa state commissioner of police Adesina Soyemi has given an account of his stewardship, five weeks after he took over from his predecessor Bola Longe who was promoted to rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police. It would be recalled that CP Soyemi assumed office on August 10, 2021. According to his statement of achievements, the Nasarawa State police command during the period arrested a total of 61 suspects, among them, 18 cultists, 16 kidnappers, 13 armed robbers and seven Internet fraudsters a.k.a. ‘yahoo boys’. Below is text of CP Soyemi’s speech

It will be recalled that, on August 10, 2021 while taking over the mantle of leadership as the Commissioner of Police Nasarawa State, I did state that, I would work on the solid foundation that had been laid, improve on it where necessary and vigorously launch an unstoppable onslaught against criminals and other elements with similar mindset and take the battle to their hideouts, no matter how remote the place may be.
It is against this background that, I want to update you on the Command`s accomplishment within the time period under review.

ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARMS
On 15/8/2021 at about 0430hrs to 2045hrs, based on actionable intelligence, Police Personnel attached to Nasarawa Division trailed and arrested six (6) suspected Kidnappers in their hideouts at oversea and Kwotto area of Nasarawa town. The suspects are Danladi Amale M33yrs A.K.A Ronsy, Bala Umaru M 32yrs A.K.A Chaka Derius, Bamaiya IsahM 22yrs , David Akuba M 26yrs, Benjamin Jimba M 21yrs and Samuel Luka M 21yrs all males.
The suspects had on 4/8/2021 kidnapped a resident of oversea area, Nasarawa and released him on 5/8/2021 after collecting ransom.
Consequently, one locally fabricated revolver gun, two locally fabricated single barrel guns, three rounds of 9mm live ammunition, one cartridge and one Itel GSM phone used for negotiation were recovered from them as exhibits.
The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF FAKE MILITARY OFFICER AND RECOVERY OF AK49 RIFLE, TWO MAGAZINES AND A VEHICLE SUSPECTED TO BE STOLEN.
On 12/9/2021 at about 1900hrs, one Timothy Emmanuel M 28yrs of Bakin Chiyawa village, Quanpan LGA of Plateau State was intercepted along B.A.D road, Lafia wearing Military camouflage in possession of AK49 rifle with two magazines and driving a black Toyota Corolla vehicle with registration number ABUJA BWR 973 CD suspected to be a stolen vehicle.
Preliminary investigation revealed that, the suspect who parades himself in military camouflage was never enlisted into the Army but got the uniform from his Uncle who is a Military personnel serving in Borno State; he there after moved to Jos, Plateau State under the guise of being a Military personnel and went away with the AK49 rifle and two magazines of a Nigeria Security and Civil Defense personnel serving in Jos, when the rifle was left in his custody by the NSCDC officer who went to do his registration to obtain National Identity Card.
Furthermore, the suspect came down to Nasarawa State and started perpetrating his nefarious activities in Karu and Lafia before nemesis caught up with him. The suspect had given the Police useful information and investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF RAIL TRACK VANDALS AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
In continuation of the fight against rail tracks vandalism, police operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit led by CSP Aniette Eyoh while working on a credible intelligence, intercepted a truck without number plate along Lafia-Makurdi road on 25/8/2021 at about 2320hrs.
The said truck was conveying vandalized rail tracks stocked in two container bodies; consequently, the trio of Fedrick Unenge, Gafar Sheriff and Abdulahi Dolapo all males were arrested in connection to the crime.
In same vein, on 16/9/2021 at about 1400hrs, based on a tip-off, Police operatives attached to Jenkwe Division intercepted a Mercedes Benz 911 truck with registration number Abuja XP 464 ABC With forty three (43) pieces of vandalized rail way tracks/iron where the following suspects: Ibrahim Mairiga, Aondo Fashima, Moses Saawuan and Ordue Tsehungur were arrested at Adevi village, Jenkwe Development Area, Obi LGA of Nasarawa State.
The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF CULTIST AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
In continuation of the onslaught against cultist in Nasarawa State, on 16/8/2021 at about 0222hrs, while working on actionable intelligence at the disposal of the Police Command which indicated that, Cultist had invited their members from different places and planned to launch attacks within Isah Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic and environs during Matriculation Ceremony, Police operatives of the Command’s Anti-cultism Unit launched intensive manhunt for the cultist which led to the arrest of the following suspected cultist:
i. Na’allah Ibrahim Fahad ‘M’ 21yrs , a pre-HND Accounting student of Isah Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Lafia and the Capon/ Leader of the Black Axe confraternity in the Institution.
ii. Abbas Umar M 19yrs ND II Computer science Student of the Polytchnic.
iii Abimiku Murtala Lucky Ovey M 22yrs, 100 level Computer Science Student of Federal University, lafia.
iv Okoli Bright M 25 yrs, 100 level Political Science Student of University of Jos.
One Cutlass, one Axe and knife were recovered from the suspects as exhibits. All the suspects have been charged to court.
Similarly, on 26/8/2021 at about 1112hrs, while acting on credible intelligence, detectives of the Police Commands Anti-cultism unit arrested one Edward EmaikwuM18yrs A.K.A Vulture; a student of National High School, Tudun Kauri and presently the Capon/Head of the Red-Vikings confraternity. Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to have been a member of the cult group for over four years where, he has initiated two of his brothers and so many others into the cult group. He further confessed to have grown through the ranks to become the Capon/Head leader of the Red-Vikings confraternity terrorizing Tudun Kauri area of Lafia and Nasarawa broadcasting service area. Consequently, customized clothes with cultic inscription were recovered from him as exhibits. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia. Equally, on 29/8/2021 at about 0130hrs, while intensifying search for cultists who have been on the wanted list of the CommandsAnti-cultism unit for series of criminal activities in Akwanga and its suburbs, operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command Anti-cultism unit raided a notorious criminal hide out called Kotto where the trio of Timothy Ishaya 21yrs old, Meshack Joseph 18yrs and Maikyo Andrew 25yrs all males were arrested. One axe, dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, two necklaces with cultic pendants and a calabash filled with criminal charms were recovered from them as exhibits. Suspects have been charged to court. In same vein, on 29/8/2021 at about 2130hrs, information at the disposal of the Nasarawa State Police Command indicated that, suspected cultist in New Karu area engaged their rival cult group members in a battle of supremacy which led to the killing of one Godwin Ayuba alleged to be a member of Eiye confraternity. Reacting to unwholesome development, the Divisional Police officer, New Karu Division and operatives of Anti-cultism unit mobilized and went after the cultist. Consequently, on 30/8/2021 at about 0350hrs the Police operatives rounded up the cultists at their hide out where the following suspects were arrested namely: Anayo Stephen, Amen Madaki A.K.A Makanaka, Ogah Sunday Moses, Mubarak Musa, Joel Raphael, Useni Rabiu, Timothy Ogah. One axe stained with blood, two cutlasses, one Dagger and four scissors were recovered from the suspects as exhibits. In like manner, on 9/9/2021 at about 1300hrs, a complaint of theft was lodged atADivision, Lafia against one Awal Aliyu and Sadiq Adamu all males and residents of Almakura street, behind Cemetery, Lafia that, on same date, the hoodlums conspired and attacked one Isah Umar and dispossessed him of a mobile phone. Upon receipt of the complaint, Police operatives of the Commands` Anti-cultism unit were immediately drafted the scene where the duo were arrested and one short Axe was recovered from one of the suspect as exhibit.
The suspects have confessed to being members of White Entertainment A.K.A African Men cult group and investigation is still ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS AND RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED VICTIM
On 12/8/2021 at about 2120hrs, a distress call was received by the Akwanga Divisional Police officer that, the residence of one Mr David Philips of Ningo Tsembe was attacked by armed hoodlums where his wife, one Charity Philip was kidnapped to unknown destination.
Reacting to the unsavory development, the OC Anti-kidnapping unit, CSP Aniette Eyoh and Divisional Police officer Akwanga immediately mobilized their personnel to the scene and gave the Kidnappers a hot chase which led to the arrest of the following suspects: (i) Ibrahim Usman (ii) Yakubu Rabo all males of Rugan Kwano.
Consequently, the victim was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with her family. The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime while effort is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF NOTORIOUS KIDNAPPER.
On 16/9/2021 at about 0900hrs, while acting on credible intelligence, one notorious suspected kidnapper named Abdulsalam Ishaku Alias Yellow M of Angwan Samari, Gwantu LGA, Kaduna State was arrested at Kurmin Tagwaye in Akwanga LGA, by Police personnel attached to Akwanga Area Command.
Preliminary investigation revealed that, the suspect who had been on the wanted list of the Police Command is one of the kidnappers operating along Akwanga-Andaha-Nunku-Gwantu road.
The suspect is cooperating with the Police as investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS
On 7/9/2021 at about 0145hrs, a distress call was received by Akwanga Divisional Police officer that, unidentified armed men suspected to be kidnappers while shooting sporadically, invaded a particular compound located behind Kini Country Home Guest Inn, Akwanga, abducted one Blessing Salihu and shot one Kiwuni Salihu on his leg.
Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police officer mobilized his men to the scene and rushed the injured to the hospital for treatment then, launched intensive manhunt for the kidnappers. The efforts of the Police operatives paid off on 8/9/2021 when the following suspects were arrested namely: Abdulah Abdulahi, Usman Adamu, Istifanus Joshua, Abdulahi Ishiaku A.KA Likita, Usman Haruna, Omo Ibrahim and Adamu Usman.
All the suspects have confessed to the crime and investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF KIDNAPPERS
On 24/8/2021 at about 2300hrs, a complaint was lodge at Azara Division that, unknown armed men suspected to be kidnappers invaded the residence of one Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkinnana located at Ayongo village, Azara Development area of Awe LGA, kidnapped his wife and injured two of his Sons.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the Police personnel of Nasarawa State Police Command swung in to action and trailed the suspects to their hideout where the trio of Mohammed Gambo 18yrs, Idris Joro 20yrs and Mohammed Hula 20yrs all males were arrested in connection to the offence .
The suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
On 14/8/2021 at about 0030hrs, information was received that suspected armed robbers numbering about eight (8) had attacked a particular House at Angwan Jarmi area of Keffi, dispossessed the victims of undisclosed amount of Money and carted away other house hold items.
Upon receipt of the information, Police Personnel attached to Angwan Lambu Division, Keffi launched a discreet investigation into the case. The effort of the investigators paid off on 16/8/2021 at about 1730hrs when the suspected armed robbers were arrested namely: Shamsu Uman, Jibrin Usman, Salisu Yahaya and Abubakar Mohammed.
Consequently, one HP laptop, one 32 inch Star times Television, four Sophisticated handsets of different brands, Jewelries, one MP3player, Clippers and cash sum of two hundred and twenty three thousand, nine hundred and fifty naira (#223,950) were recovered from them as exhibits.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation department, Lafia.

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS AND RECOVERY OF FIREARM
On 10/8/2021 at about 2338hrs, a distress call was received by the Divisional Police Officer, Akwanga that, suspected armed robbers attacked some Students of Nasarawa State College of Education, Akwanga and dispossessed them of mobile phones.
Upon receipt of the information, the Divisional Police officer led a team of detectives to the scene. Consequently, one Kawuda Ovey M was arrested and one locally fabricated shot gun was recovered from the suspect as exhibit.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERS (ONE CHANCE) AND RECOVERY OF OPERATIONAL VEHICLE
On 18/08/2021 at about 1445hrs, a complaint was lodged at Mararaba ‘B’ Division, Abacha road about the activities of some suspected armed robbers popularly called one chance; that, the hoodlums snatched a bag containing cash sum of sixty –five thousand naira, vehicle documents, Driver license and ATM cards.
Upon receipt of the report, Police operatives immediately raced to the scene; upon sighting the Police, the criminals zoomed off but were intercepted as they were trying to escape. Consequently, one Patrick Uche Egurube and Ogwuche Oko both males of Benue State were arrested and the operational vehicle (Toyota Corolla) with registration number LAGOS KJA 616 GT was recovered from them as exhibits.
The suspects have been charged to court for prosecution.

CULPABLE HOMICIDE
On 20/8/2021 at about 1830hrs, a complaint was lodged at Doma Divisional Headquarters that, on same date at about 1700hrs, one Musa Abubakar ‘M’ of Iwashi village complained to the village head about herders who trespassed into his beneseed plantation with their cattle. That while assessing the level of destruction, they were attacked and the said Musa Abubakar was matcheted on his neck and died at the Spot.
Reacting to the unsavory development, Police operatives attached to Doma Division immediately swung into action and got two suspects arrested. Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF SUSPECTED FRAUDSTAR/IMPOSTOR
On 15/8/2021, a complaint was lodge at Nasarawa State Police Command that, one Ariyo Bamidele Richard M who claimed to be a Staff of National Directorate of Employment, a facilitator of Golden bridge Loan and C.E.O of Richie Tech Computer Academy contacted unsuspecting members of the public on social media(Facebook) under the guise of helping them to facilitate Golden bridge and National directorate of employment loan; furthermore, the complainant stated that, Ariyo Bamidele Richard charges every interested person the sum of twenty five and thirty thousand naira in order to facilitate loan payment of three to five hundred thousand naira; and have defrauded unsuspecting members of the public to the tune of over two million naira, hence the report.
Upon receipt of the complaints, the Commissioner of Police CP Adesina Soyemi directed the Command`s Anti-kidnapping unit to investigate the case. Consequently, through a painstaking investigation, one more suspect named Oyishoma Osega Joshuas was also arrested and has confessed to the commission of the crime. However, the sum of two hundred thousand naira and one fake certificate of incorporation have been recovered from him as exhibits.
Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS
On 2/9/2021 at about 2330hrs, a distress call was received that, suspected armed robbers had attacked a Man riding Motorcycle carrying one passenger along Lafia-Obi road and dispossessed them of the Motorcycle.
Reacting this ugly development, Police operatives of the Nasarawa State Command swiftly raced to the scene and gave the armed robbers a hot chase, that led to the arrest of the following suspects: Ibrahim Adamu A.K.A Baba Nda M of Dadere village, Adamu Laulo M of Rukubi village, Isah Buhari M of Duguga village, Alhaji BuhariM of Dadere, Mohammed Yusuf M of Amawa Dadere.
Consequently, one Cutlass and two Knives were recovered from the suspects as exhibits. All the suspects have confessed to the commission of the crime and Investigation is ongoing at State Criminal Investigation Department, Lafia.

In conclusion, I want to seize this opportunity to appeal to all the good People of the State to be more supportive to us in the discharge of our statutory duty, by availing us credible information that will help to proactively neutralized or deal with matters of security in the State. Furthermore, I want to assert that, the Nasarawa State Police Command will not rest on its oars or revel in its accomplishments so far, rather this achievement has galvanized our tempo and posture audacity to clampdown heavily in a consistent and sustained manner on Criminal practitioners until they are roundly subjugated and their Criminal industry completely liquidated in Nasarawa State.

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