The Borno State Police Command has arrested a female serial phone snatcher, Fatima Abacha, aka Bintu, and 84 other suspects alleged to have committed various criminal offences in the state.
The offences committed by the suspects include criminal conspiracy, rape, homicide, armed robbery, theft, forgery, possession of dangerous weapons as well as possession of Indian hemp.
Parading the suspects in Maiduguri on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Daso Nahum, said the offences were perpetrated between Oct. 1, and Dec. 31, 2023,
He said the command recorded 49 cases and got 27 suspects convicted, adding that 14 cases were under investigation while 31 others were charged in court.
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The PPRO said Bintu, a resident of Shehuri South, Maiduguri, who was declared wanted for serial offences of theft of mobile phones was arrested on 28th December, 2023.
“During the investigation, she revealed her accomplice, one Mohammed Isa, from the Babban Layi area of the metropolis.
“The modus operandi of the syndicate is visiting residential houses as house help and stealing mobile phones of the unsuspected house owner.
“One Techno LC6 phone was recovered as an exhibit while the case is still under investigation to arrest the receivers who will also be prosecuted,” he said.
Nahum also revealed that on Dec. 31, 2023, four of the suspects were arrested over alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, possession of weapons as well as Indian hemp.
He explained that exhibits in their possession include dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, one sword, two pots used for inhaling an intoxicant locally called shisha, one stick and five mobile phones were recovered from them.
He said the suspects were under investigation for diligent prosecution under the Borno State Penal Code Law and other matters connected therewith Law 2023.
“The suspect confessed to having acquired a locally made pistol from one Abubakarof Kalimbo village, Babbangida LGA of Yobe; efforts are on-going to arrest Abubakar,” he said.
The command also arrested 8 suspected Malian gang members during the Christmas and New Year festive season, adding that the arrest was made during a raid on suspected criminal hideouts in Mairi, Fori, Tashan Bama and Gwange.
