CP Edward C. Egbuka, Commissioner of Police Plateau State Commander

By Daniel Dauda, Jos


In a bit to ensure a crime free society, Plateau State Police Command have warned criminal elements operating in the state to desist from their nefarious acts or have themselves to blame.

"Criminal elements are hereby warned in their own interest to either retrace their steps and desist from their nefarious acts or relocate from the state as the police will continue to launch aggressive manhunt for criminals in every part of the State, having in mind that security is everybody’s business."

The Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command, CP Edward  C. Egbuka issued the warning while addressing Journalists at the force headquarters in Jos on Wednesday as they Paraded 39 suspects.

The 39 suspects were apprehended on various degree crime such as; criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, unlawful possession of fire arms, kidnapping, culpable homicide and theft among other social vices across Plateau.

According to the CP "the vigorous fight against these forces has led to bountiful harvest of criminals, who took part in various crimes within the period under review; such as kidnapping, armed robbery, culpable homicide and unlawful possession of firearms.

Criminal Suspects
ARREST OF SIX (6) ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS: On 10/10/2020 at about 0130hrs, acting on a tip off, police detectives attached to ‘A’ Division Jos, burst a criminal hideout and arrested six (6) suspected armed robbers. They include Bitrus Dung, Moses Meshak, Joachin Dung, Ikechukwu Lucky, Precious Onyekuleje and Hemen Davou, all male. On interrogation, suspects confessed to have carried out several robbery operations within Jos meteropolis and environs. Their modus operandi include; trailing of unsuspecting victims to their houses, particularly in isolated areas, and robbing them of their belongings. Exhibits recovered from the suspects include; one locally fabricated gun, two pairs of Nigerian Army Uniform, and a Toyota Highlander vehicle with Reg. No. MUG 275 FM, one Mini ACCER Laptop, one Tecno Tablet, one Samsung Tablet, two hand bags, one trolling bag and one FREE TV decoder. Investigation is in progress.

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARMS:- On 31/01/2021, Police Safer Highway patrol team attached to Angwan Rogo Division Jos, while on stop and search at Naraguta area by the University of Jos gate, suspected and arrested thirteen persons, operating in three tricycles with registration numbers: JJN 859 WQ, BUU 156 VC and JJN 286 WQ. When interrogated, the suspects could not give satisfactory explanation about their movement. They were immediately searched, and two locally made pistols and one live cartridge were recovered from them. They were transferred to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, where further investigation revealed that they were members of the Black Axe Confraternity, a notorious cult group. The suspects include: (i) Umar Wada (ii) Longji Longkat (iii) Mohammed Biola (iv) Alphusus James (v) Mark Demson (vi) Isaac Caleb and (vii) Peter Jonathan, all male. A comprehensive list of other members of this dangerous cult group is with the police, and detectives have been detailed to go after them. Investigation is still in progress. Suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

Some of the items police recovered from the Criminal elements

ARREST OF A SUSPECTED NOTORIOUS KIDNAPPER: If you will recall, on 23/12/2020, a gang of vicious hoodlums attacked and shot dead one Barrister (Mrs) Kenmuen Tapshak Pwul at her home in Latiya Area of Jos South Local Government Area. Her six year old daughter was also kidnapped, but later released to the family unhurt. In the course of investigation of this heinous crime, and while combing the nearby hills and forests, police operatives apprehended one Idris Musa ‘m’ of Kafi-Abu area, Barkin-ladi who had a gunshot wound on his leg. The suspect initially denied any complicity in the crime; but when confronted with evidence from the scene of crime, he confessed to the crime, and mentioned some of his accomplices. Efforts are still on going to arrest the fleeing suspects.

ARREST OF THREE (3) SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS: Acting on a tip off, on 29/01/2021 at about 0832hrs, Police personnel from Laranto Division, Jos, arrested some suspected armed robbers in Russo village in Jos North Local Government Area. The suspects include (i) Ezra Samuel aged 20 yrs, (ii) Raymond Enejo aged 21yrs (iii) Henry Danladi aged 15yrs, all male. Found in their possession were one locally made Revolver pistol with twenty-seven rounds of 9mm live ammunition. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to have robbed one Job Dickson Diben ‘m’ and Wapnen Enoch ‘m’, all of Russo village of their infinix Note 4 and Tecno Y2 phones respectively. They also disclosed that the leader of their gang was one David Sunday ‘m’ aged 21yrs. The said gang leader was trailed to his hideout by detectives and arrested on 02/02/2021. He had in his possession a locally made pistol. Investigation is still in progress.

CULPABLE HOMICIDE AND BEING IN POSSESSION OF A TRICYLCE SUSPECTED TO BE STOLEN: On 22/12/2020, based on credible intelligence, Police detectives attached to Anwan Rogo Division Jos, arrested one Mubarak Isah ‘m’ of Angwan Rimi, Jos in possession of a tricycle with Reg number QAP 142 WW, which he was about to dispose of. The suspect on interrogation could not give a satisfactory account of how he came in possession of the tricycle. Interrogated further, he confessed that the tricycle was given to him by one Raymond Ibrahim ‘m’ of Millionaire quarters, Jos. The said Raymond was tracked down and arrested. On interrogation, he confessed to have killed the owner of the tricycle identified as one Micah Luka ‘m’ of the same address on 16/12/2020, and buried the victim in an uncompleted building along Liberty Bouleverd, Jos. 

The suspect led the Police to the burial site, where the decomposing corpse of the victim was exhumed. Other exhibits recovered from the suspects include, victim’s ATM card and the suspected murder weapon. Case is still under investigation and will soon be charged to court. 

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY, INCITING DISTURBANCE AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM: On 31/01/2021 at about 1630hrs, following report that some hoodlums were attacking one ThankGod Obadiah ‘m’ of Tungus, Police personnel attached to Mikang Division raced to the scene, and arrested the following persons; (i) Ishaiku Gongshak Gusar, (ii) Panshak Micheal, (iii) Dennis Francis and (iv) Aaron Joseph, all male of Mangu L.G.A. Their vehicle, a Honda Accord car without Registration Number was impounded. On searching the vehicle, a beretta Pistol with eleven rounds of live ammunition, and several master keys were recovered. Investigation is still in progress.

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AND CULPABLE HOMICIDE: On 09/01/2021 at about 2100hrs, one Prof. Asenge Hambeve Gabriel aged 68yrs ‘m’ residing at Old Government House area, Fwavei Rayfield, Jos, was reported missing at Anglo-Jos Police Station by his family members. The said Professor left his house on 09/01/2021 at about 1830hrs in his Honda Accord vehicle with Reg Number: EPE 469 CU. In the morning of 10/01/2021, when nothing was still heard from him, a search party was organized. The victim was found burnt with his vehicle on a lonely road along, Mararam Topp Rayfield, Jos.

In the course of the investigation of the case, six suspects have been arrested, including the principal suspect, one Yusuf Ahmed ‘m’, who transferred money from the deceased account to a POS, from where he received cash. Other suspects arrested include (i) Rufai Sabiu (ii) Yasir Musa (iii) Yusuf Adam (iv) Lawan Adamu Wase (v) Muharazu Mohammed, all male of Gangere Area, Jos. Further investigation has revealed that these suspects are a dangerous and sophisticated gang of criminals who specialize in robbing victims at gunpoint, accessing their bank details through their phones and siphoning money from their accounts. Already, some of their victims have come forward to make statements to the detectives investigating the case.


ARREST OF ROBBERY SYNDICATE, RECOVERY OF FIRE ARMS AND AMMUNITION:- On 29/01/2021 team of policemen attached to Langtang South Division in collaboration with local Vigilante, burst a suspected criminal hide-out at Walnim village, Langtang South and in the process the following suspects were arrested (i) Jinfa Lohnap aged 27years (ii) Nanmin Dan’azumi aged 31years (iii) Selbol Lohfa aged 25 years (iv) Jem Datman aged 20 years (v) Venchang Jangfa aged 30 years, all male of Walnim/Dadinkowa village of Langtang South. During interrogation suspects confessed to have participated in several robbery operations along Dadin kowa, Walnim and Gama Kai routes in Langtang South LGA. Exhibits recovered from them include (i) one locally made revolver pistol with one round of live ammunition. Case under investigation. Suspects will soon be charged to court. 
 
ARREST OF SUSPECTED NOTORIOUS CAR SNATCHER AND RECOVERY OF STOLEN VEHICLE: Following report of theft of a White Hijet Pick-up with Reg. No. JJN 890 ZU and Chassis no. S110P035160 at gun point on 01/02/2021 along Gold & Base Jos; Police operatives attached to Anglo-Jos Division tracked the suspect, later identified as one Pam Davou ‘m’, an ex-convict, to Babale in Bauchi State; where he was arrested and the stolen vehicle recovered. Also recovered was a Peugeot 406 with Reg. no. CU 426 FST. The suspect’s accomplice, one Suleiman (Surname Unknown), fled on sighting the Police. Efforts being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspect. 

ARREST OF SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS: On 27/01/2021 at about 2100hrs, while on intelligence-led raid of criminals’ hideouts at Ruga Village, a boundary settlement between Taraba and Bauchi States, a combined team of Police operatives, local vigilante and hunters burst a gang of kidnappers’ hideout. In the gun duel that ensued, some of the suspects fled with bullet wounds while three were arrested. They were later identified as: Musa Alhaji Shehu, Bello Alhaji Adam and Ali Ibrahim, all male of Kampan-Zurak Village.  On interrogation, the arrested suspects admitted being part of a notorious gang carrying out criminal activities in the area. Investigation still on-going.

These are just some of the breakthroughs the command recorded during the period under review. These achievements have been by the Grace of God, and the co-operation of the good people of Plateau State and the residents, who having been emboldened to co-operate with the police due to the Community Policing initiative of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, NPM mni, and the sincerity of purpose of the Police on the Plateau, CP Egbuka stated.