The Bauchi State Police Command says Boko Haram insurgents have not infiltrated the state.
In a statement on Monday, SP Ahmed Wakil, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sabiu Baba, was quoted out of context at a press conference.
Baba had briefed the media on the influx into Zaki, Gamawa, Darazo and Dambam Local Government Areas bordering Yobe State as a result of Boko Haram activities.
Wakil said the meeting that took place before the briefing focused on beefing up security in the state and the need for security agencies to be proactive.
“The attention of the Bauchi State Police Command has been drawn to viral media publications making the rounds that Boko Haram fighter have infiltrated four local government areas of the state, quoting the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sabiu Baba, after an emergency Security Council meeting convened by the state Governor Bala Mohammad.”
“For the records, the Security Council Meeting was convened by the State Governor to discuss arising security concerns in order to forestall influx fleeing Geidam and Kanam residents from Yobe State after the Boko Haram elements attacked the two towns.
“In a press briefing by the SSG, he made it clear that the meeting discussed proactive ways of ensuring that adequate security is emplaced to prevent influx of criminal elements from neighboring states to Bauchi State,” he said.
He added that the SSG made reference to a noticeable influx of some suspicious visitors including some criminal elements found to have stolen telecommunication equipment five of whom were arrested and are under investigation.
Wakil said another case in point is the arrest of suspects, who stole Mikano generators from Geidam and were heading to Kano through Bauchi State.
“This occurred on 28/04/2021 at about 0300hrs when a distress call was received from Gashua Yobe state that a Generator Engine, Maikano So 13, was stolen loaded in a Tanker vehicle and headed to Gamawa-Kano road.
“On receipt of the report, The Policemen of Gamawa Division in collaboration with the military conducted stop and search at the Gololo military check point and the effort yielded positive result as the vehicle was intercepted with two stolen Engines 1, Maikano So 13 and 2,Jubail Bros P 20.
“Also, two Suspects Felix Chukwe ‘m’ and Chinedu Uche all of Imo State origin were arrested in connection to the crime. The suspects were arrested and the vehicle impounded, investigated and profiled. After preliminary investigation both the suspects and the exhibits were handed over to Yobe State Command. For the sake of emphasis, Bauchi State has not being infiltrated by the so called criminal elements,” the statement added.