The Gombe State police command said it had arrested seven teenagers over alleged criminal conspiracy, impersonation and being in possession of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said 10 other suspects were also arrested over kidnapping and other offences at different locations in the state.
Parading the suspects, the police public relations officer in the state, ASP Mahid Abubakar, said the suspects – Ibrahim Usman, 19; Usman Mohammed Bilyaminu, 18; Mohammed Suleiman, 21; Sani Mohammed, 20; Hamman Haruna, 19; Imrana Hassan, 18 and Abdullahi Idris, 17 – were arrested at the market square in Kalarin and Baganje in Kaltungo and Billiri local government areas of the state.
He said the suspects were arrested on December 3 by police operatives at Kaltungo Division, in collaboration with SIB operatives when they raided a criminal hideout.
Imo Police arrest IPOB members, recover IED, rifles, Biafra currency
FCT health centres lack manpower, drugs, equipment
He said the exhibits recovered included military camouflage trousers and cap, drugs, illicit substances, as well as weapons and charms.
Abubakar further said two suspects, Mohammed Garba, 25 and Ibrahim Adamu, 40, were arrested in connection with the kidnapping of one Musa Abdullahi on September 28, where they demanded a ransom of N1.8 million.
In addition, Kabiru Musa, 25, was arrested over motorcycle snatching. On November 6, one Yahaya Haruna, impersonating a police officer, snatched a motorcycle and fled to Taraba State, where he was later arrested and brought back to Gombe.
