Bauchi State Police Command says it has been able to record a total of 414 criminal cases while a total of 673 suspected criminals were arrested in connection with the cases between January and December 2023.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed while taking stock of some of the notable breakthroughs of the Command under his leadership in 2023 during a press conference held at the Command Headquarters in Bauchi on Saturday.
According to him, the Command achieved the feat through sustained operations, dedication, and commitment to secure the State and create a strong security sustainability framework.
He explained, “Out of this figure, 406 cases alongside 672 suspects were charged to court for prosecution, 41 cases alongside 59 suspects were successfully convicted, 365 cases 613 suspects are standing trial while 8 cases are still under investigation”.
The CP added that the synopses of the cases included 56 cases of armed robbery recorded with 106 suspects arrested in connection with the cases while 57 cases of culpable homicide with 118 suspects arrested in connection to the cases.
However, 57 victims were killed in connection with the Culpable Homicide cases,17 cases of attempted culpable homicide with 23 suspects arrested in connection with the cases and 17 victims were injured.
Also, 73 cases of rape and indecent assault were recorded with 86 suspects arrested in connection with the cases and 31 victims were injured just as 36 cases of kidnapping with 85 suspects arrested in connection with the cases.
Still during the period under review, 3 unnatural offences occurred with 3 suspects arrested in connection with the cases just as 13 cases of theft/other stealing alongside 26 suspects were arrested in connection with the cases in which 5 cases were prosecuted and the suspects convicted while 8 cases are standing trial.
Furthermore, 72 cases of Obtaining Money/Property and pretence/cheating were recorded alongside 81 suspects arrested in which 15 cases were successfully convicted and the remaining 50 cases are awaiting trial while 7 cases are still under investigation.
Auwal Musa Mohammed added that 12 cases of receiving stolen properties alongside 19 suspects were arrested of which 4 cases were convicted and the remaining eight are awaiting trial while 2 cases of illegal possession were recorded alongside 4 suspects arrested in connection with the cases.
Also, 5 cases of mischief by fire were recorded and arrested 11 suspects in connection with the cases just as 1 case of forgery of counterfeit notes was recorded and arrested 1 suspect arrested in connection with the case.
The CP also disclosed that 4 cases of breach of public peace were recorded with 14 suspects arrested in connection with the cases while 32 cases of other offences against persons were recorded with 42 suspects arrested in connection with the cases.
According to him, 16 cases of other offences against property were recorded with 25 suspects arrested in connection with the cases while seven 7 cases of offences against firearms were recorded with 15 suspects arrested in connection with the cases.
He also said, “Consequently, the Command, as part of its efforts to carry out its statutory duties of enforcing law and order to have a crime-free environment in the State over the last year, an estimated value of properties lost, stolen, or damaged amounted to the sum of N62,890,000.00 while the estimated value of properties recovered by the Command was N31,110,000.00.
Also, the Exhibits recovered included: Two Keke NAPEP; Five Boxer motorcycles; Eight vehicles; Sixteen fabricated AK 47 riffle; Twenty Danes guns; Seventy cows; Sixty sheep and 317 live ammunition caliber of AK-47 riffles.
“However, the Command wish to delineate that, during several daring operations, rescued the total number of 127 kidnapped victims from the kidnappers’ enclaves, dismantled so many suspected kidnappers’ hideouts and neutralized 20 of them as a result of gun duel.
“Furthermore, the Command is highly delighted to put the record straight that some of the prominent cases recorded, including a case of suspected ritualist where the Command arrested two suspects namely; Abdulkadir Wada Haladu, 19 years of Chikamidari area of Jama’are LGA Bauchi State and Adamu Abdulra’uf aged 20 of same address, who cut off complete Vulva; (labia majora, labia minora, and clitoris) of an infant. After a thorough investigation by the Command, the Two accused persons were charged to court for prosecution, and they were convicted and sentenced to 35 years imprisonment each without an option of a fine,” the CP emphasised.
Auwal Musa Mohammed then commended the State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir for the support accorded the Command.
He also said the Command has put in place crime preventive measures which include visibility policing, community partnership, constant raids of black sports, regular foot, and vehicular patrols, surveillance on buildings and vulnerable areas, stop and search operations, and intelligence-led policing through a partnership with sister security agencies and other non-governmental organizations to nip in the bud, all forms of crime, criminals and their hideouts in the state to ensure a hitch-free New year celebrations.
“Finally, the Command is fully prepared and battle-ready for the year 2024 as more strategies will be put in place to ensure the security of life and property and consolidate the achievements recorded in the year 2023.”
