Gombe State Police Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy and theft of livestock.
Parading the suspects, the command’s Public Relation Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said on January 10, 2025, at approximately 2:45am, a joint operation by the Billiri Division Police led to the arrest of four suspects allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy and theft of livestock.
The suspects, including Mohammed Garba (55) from Pantami Quarters, Gombe, Idi Salisu (27), Umar Babale (39), both of Lafiya-Lamurde LGA, Adamawa State and Umar Jalo (25) of Kumo village in Akko LGA, were apprehended in connection with a stolen cow during a police patrol.
He highlighted that the suspects, who were using Hummer Bus with registration number LND 864 XA, were arrested after their vehicle was intercepted. Through questioning, it was revealed that they had been sent by one Alh Halilu, alias S.Y Lafiya, to the Billiri area to receive stolen cattle from Kembu village via Akko LGA and Filiya.
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This led to immediate coordination with other divisions, including the Akko and Pero-chonge police stations, to set up a joint operation aimed at dismantling the notorious cow theft syndicate operating in the region.
Abdullahi noted that during the investigation, Umar Jalo was found in possession of a cow suspected to have been stolen. He confessed that he, along with another accomplice, Dogo (surname unknown), had stolen the cow from Garin Majidadi village near Kumo, Akko LGA. The stolen cow, belonging to Alh Mohammed Ahmadu, was returned to its rightful owner.
However, the mastermind behind the operation, Dogo, remains at large and efforts are underway to track him down. Authorities have vowed to press charges against the suspects once the investigation is completed, sending a strong message against livestock theft in the region.
This successful arrest highlights the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies to tackle criminal syndicates and protect local farmers from the rising menace of cattle rustling.