FROM RABILU ABUBAKAR, GOMBE
Gombe State Police Command has arrested four suspects allegedly involved in criminal conspiracy and theft of livestock.
Parading the suspects, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi said a joint operation by Billiri Division on January 10 around 2:45am led to the arrest of the four suspects.
The suspects, Mohammed Garba (55) from Pantami Quarters, Gombe; Idi Salisu (27), Umar Babale (39), both of Lafiya-Lamurde Local Government Area, Adamawa State, and Umar Jalo (25) of Kumo village in Akko Local Government Area, were apprehended in connection with a stolen cow during police patrol.
He said the suspects, who were using a Hummer bus with registration number LND 864 XA, were arrested after their vehicle was intercepted.
He said it was revealed that they had been sent by one Alhaji Halilu, alias S.Y Lafiya, to Billiri area to receive stolen cattle from Kembu village via Akko Local Government Area and Filiya.
This led to immediate coordination with other divisions, including Akko and Pero-chonge Police Stations, to set up a joint operation aimed at dismantling the notorious cow theft syndicate.
Abdullahi disclosed that during investigation, Umar Jalo was found in possession of a cow suspected to have been stolen.
He was said to have confessed that he, alongside another accomplice, Dogo (surname unknown) had stolen the cow from Garin Majidadi village near Kumo.
The stolen cow, belonging to Alhaji 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, Abdullahi said.
Authorities have vowed to press charges against the suspects once investigation is completed, sending a strong message against livestock theft in the region.
