From Femi Oyelola , Kaduna
The Nigerian Police has expressed dismay over the involvement of young people in criminal activities across the country.
The Force Public Relations Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi made this position known while parading arrested suspects who are alleged to be involved in criminal activities in Kaduna State.
According to him, the age bracket of the suspects is between 20 to 25 years which is supposed to be the foundation laying period for their future.
He paraded 81 armed robbery suspects, 40 kidnap suspects, 73 murder/homicide suspects, 36 rape suspects, 22 suspects involved in cult-related crimes, and 28 suspects engaged in other criminal activities.
He also lamented that the high rates of young people taking illicit drugs is worrisome, because that is it gives false confidence to them to carry out their criminal activities.
He particularly mentioned the case of 20 years old Abubakar Umar of Bagega Village via Anka LGA of Zamfara State who was arrested on the 7th of April, 2024, by police operatives attached to the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS). Abuja in collaboration with Operation Yaki operatives in Kaduna Command
According to him, Abubakar had in his possession of four hundred and sixty (60) rounds of 7.62MM live ammunition concealed inside a stabilizer box at Zaria City Kaduna, with a mission to deliver it to one Doctor Dan Sadi of Bagega for onward transfer to a notorious bandit known as Ladan, who is expected to receive the ammunitions.
Similarly, he cited the case of 22-year-old Salim Aliyu a resident of Badarawa-Kwaru in Kaduna North LGA of Kaduna State
ACP Adejobi explained that Aliyu was found in possession of one AK47 rifle with Breach No. 01585, along with three rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition.
“Additionally, upon search, the following items were recovered from his possession: a Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) camouflage face cap and singlet, a sharp knife, a flier, a desert handbag, a wallet containing a First Bank ATM card, and a complimentary card belonging to a Brigadier General. During interrogation, Aliyu confessed to being on a robbery mission to Maraban Jos.
*On 27th April 2024, some vigilante members arrested and brought to the station one Auwal Ayuba aged 27, a resident of Kubacha Town suspected of being a kidnapper.
“After a thorough investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnapping gang and has participated in several kidnappings in Kubacha, Jere, and Katari axis where many victims were kidnapped”, he stressed.
