Herders nabbed using cattle prods to rob

Among the suspects paraded in the week by the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salihu Garba, were three suspected Fulani herdsmen who, instead of using their sticks to prod their cows, chose to deploy them for the purpose of snatching motorcycles from people.
Also paraded were two suspects namely Rufai Ibrahim and Hamza Suleiman who allegedly vandalized the transformer at a farm belonging to Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari.
According to the CP, on January 4, while policemen were on patrol at Kanbi area, two suspected thieves sighted the police and took to their heels.
 He added that the police pursued them and later discovered that the suspects had vandalized the transformer in the Emir’s farm at Kanbi and left behind items including three cable wire, two complete hack saw, three pairs of slippers, three shirts, among others.
Two suspects were however arrested in connection with the alleged theft.
On the case of herdsmen turning their rearing sticks to robbery aids, he said, “On January 12, 2015 at about 2000 hours, one Kareem Mashi and Ibrahim Mashi, both male of BudoAiki farm settlement were robbed at Gwanara by Fulani men who armed themselves with rearing sticks, cutlasses and knives.
“They snatched their unregistered Red Bajaj motorcycle valued at N95, 000 and also inflicted machete cut injury on Ibrahim Mashi. One of the suspects, Abdullahi Gani, male, of Dawiru village, was later arrested by the police and identified by the victims.
“Also, on January 13, 2015 at about 0700 hours, one Suleiman Alabi and Mrs. Salimatw Suleiman were robbed at Banni and their unregistered motorcycle was snatched from them.
“The robbers also beat the victim with stick which resulted in injuries sustained by the victims on hand and fore head respectively. Concerted effort by operatives led to the arrest of the suspect and recovery of the motorcycle”, he said.
The police boss also said that a team of detectives from Airport police post, Ilorin intercepted the third suspect who was said to be a member of a gang of armed robbers terrorising the area, adding that he would soon be charged to court.
The police command also said that it recovered arms and ammunition, including two locally made single barrel guns with two expended cartridges, one locally made pistol with two live cartridges, one locally made single barrel, two dane guns and 10 live cartridges at Bode Saadu area in Moro local government, adding that investigation was still in progress.
Also paraded was a suspected member of cult group, who was arrested at Gambari Road, Ilorin with exhibits such as one USA made pistol without magazine, 13 rounds of live ammunition, two pieces of foreign currency, one BlackBerry handset and criminal charms, adding that the suspect, who could not give satisfactory account of how he possessed the weapon, confessed to be a cult member.
The CP however gave stern warning to armed robbers and trouble makers to desist from their untoward acts or relocate, saying the command would spare no effort in ridding the state of armed robbers and protecting lives and properties of citizens.