By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi.
Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Police Force said Wednesday that it has rescued twenty eight hostages and arrested ninety six suspects including four females.
The State Police Commissioner, Haliru Abubakar Gwandu gave the 96 suspects arrested by the command’s operatives as 56 kidnappers, 15 armed robbery suspects, 5 homicide and 5 cattle rustlers.
Gwandu, who at a press briefing also revealed that police operatives arrested 14 Indian hemp dealers and 1 rape suspect, explained that 81 of the suspects have already been charged to court while 15 others are under investigations.
Commissioner Gwandu enumerated recovered arms and ammunition from the suspects that included 1 AK 47 rifle with breach no 1985PD7242, 3 fabricated guns, 1 single barrel gun, and a locally made pistol.
Also recovered from the suspects, according to him, are one empty AK 47 magazine, 17.62 mm long ammunition, 4 cartridges, 11 cutlasses and 3 bows and arrows in quiver.
One Mercedes Benz M320, grey in color with registration number MSA 01 PD, 1 Honda Accord 2005 model sack ash in color with chassis No 1HGCM568X6A807710 were also recovered.
Gwandu further disclosed that the command recovered one Toyota Corolla 2002 model light grey in color, 20 Bajaj motorcycles and one Yoshi Motorcycle as well as recovery of 231 cows, 37 sheep and one camel.
He explained that the suspects have specialized in kidnapping, rustling of cattle and extorting money from their victims as ransom in Dass, Alkaleri, Soro, Tafawa Balewa, Toro and Gumau axis of the state.
He assured that the command will sustain the crime preventive measures which include visibility policing, constant raids of black spots, regular foot and vehicular patrols through partnership with sister agencies and other Non-governmental organizations in order to nip in the bud all forms of crimes in the state.
The commissioner warned miscreants against fermenting trouble during the forthcoming Sallah festival saying his command is fully prepared and battle ready to deal decisively with all manner of trouble and mischief makers.
Gwandu did not however give details of the 28 hostages rescued by the police operatives hitherto captured by their abductors.
