The Borno State Police Command, led by the recently appointed Police Commissioner, Yusufu Lawal, held a press briefing at the State Command Headquarters in Maiduguri, where they paraded 78 suspects engaged in various criminal activities. Among the suspects was a wanted criminal involved in a case of Culpable Homicide reported on May 13, 2023, in the Dala Bulumkutu area of the metropolis.
CP Yusufu Lawal, who assumed office just a week ago, unveiled his work plan for policing excellence, which focuses on proactive crime prevention strategies and community engagement. This approach aims to enhance the safety and security of residents in Maiduguri and beyond.
In a tragic incident on July 23, 2023, a group of hoodlums attacked Police Constable Babagana Mala, who was attached to the Police crack unit and deployed to the Forward Operation Base (FOB) at Malari village, Konduga LGA along Artillery area, Maiduguri. The assailants fatally stabbed the constable in the back. Responding to a distress call, the police patrol team rushed the victim to the Maiduguri specialist hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Through undercover operations, the police obtained a video clip of the incident from a helpful bystander, leading to the arrest of ten suspects linked to the crime. The case was transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.
CP Lawal emphasized that the Borno State Police Command was committed to curbing youth involvement in violent crimes, criminal activities, and anti-social behavior. To this end, joint raids were conducted at vulnerable points and hotspots, including uncompleted buildings and neighborhoods across the metropolis, resulting in the arrest of 78 suspects.
During the briefing, the Police Commissioner provided details of other successful operations against criminal suspects. On July 22, 2023, a syndicate of young women was arrested by a police patrol team in possession of stolen provisions and foodstuffs from two shops in the Ngomari Airport area of Maiduguri. The suspects used deceptive tactics, pretending to purchase items while engaging in shoplifting. Their accomplice, who drove a waiting tricycle, was also apprehended.
Another incident on the same day involved the interception of a group of hoodlums who snatched an Infinix Hot 8 phone valued at N160,000 from an individual near the GSM Market in Bulumkutu, Maiduguri. The syndicate operated using Keke Napep tricycles to carry out their criminal activities. Thanks to swift action from the police patrol team, five suspects were arrested, and the stolen handset was recovered.
CP Lawal took the opportunity to call on parents to closely monitor the friends and peer groups their children associate with to prevent negative influences. He also urged religious leaders, community elders, and other stakeholders to provide timely information to the police regarding the activities of unpatriotic elements and suspected drug peddlers in their neighborhoods. The Commissioner assured the public that the Borno State Police Command would remain determined and committed to maintaining law and order and curbing the excesses of youth across the state.
The suspects arrested during these operations will undergo a discreet investigation, and those found guilty will face diligent prosecution to ensure justice is served and the safety of the citizens is upheld.
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