NSCDC Bust Notorious Burglary Gangs In Jigawa

By Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) Jigawa State Command, as part of their efforts to crackdown on criminalities have arrested a syndicate of notorious burglary gangs said to be terrorising Hadejia community in Jigawa state.

The suspects involved two different gangs, which specialize in breaking into people’s shops and stealing their property.

The Spokesman for the NSCDC in the state, Adamu Shehu, who confirmed the development, told reporters that the offences were committed between August 18 and 26, 2022.

Apprehended was one Ali Ya’u 22 of Agumau Quarters, who is identified as the leader of one of the gangs. He was arrested alongside five other persons.

They included Abubakar Isa 21; Haruna Shuaibu 17; Tafida Ibrahim 22 all of Agumau Qtrs. Others were Ibrahim Yusuf, 24 of Mafucin Sarki Qtrs and Mohammed Musa, 18 of Yayari Qtrs all in Hadejia local government

Shehu said all the aforementioned were being investigated for suspected case of Burglary, Trespass, Criminal Conspiracy, Theft and Receiving Stolen Property contrary to sections 346, 342, 96, 286, 317 and punishable under Sections 349, 348, 97, 287, 317 of Penal Codes.

According to him, Ya’u was arrested on Thursday, 18th August, 2022 in the afternoon while eating at a local eatery while the five others were picked up at different locations within the week.

He explained that the arrest of the suspects was prompted by the complaints received from one Muhammad Sani Lawal that his shop located at Agumau Quarters was burgled at around 2:30am on August 17, 2022.

“The complainant listed some of the items stolen from his shop as including N1.1 m cash; seven laptop computers of different models valued at N410,000, POS Teminal valued at N25,000; Microsoft Camera N25,000. Kojak Biometric Machine N230,000.

“Other items stolen included NIMC license N360,000; 200 pieces of fairly used mobile phones of different brands, including Nokia, Samsung, and Sony Ericsson valued at N985,000. He said altogether, N2.035m worth of gadgets were stolen, plus N1.1m

“Luckily, the shop owner has a video surveillance camera (CCTV) mounted in the shop that helped in identifying the suspects which eventually led to their arrests.

“At the time of their arrest, they were in possession of two laptop computers (HP and LG XNote) and three used GSM mobile phones (Gosco, Nokia, and Samsung). However, they admitted that the rest of the stolen property are with Dan Bello who’s now at large.

“Investigation revealed that, Ya’u and one Dan Bello (on the run) of Fagge Quarters in Kano state, used hammer and broke the heavily padlocked door of the shop and stole the listed items including the said cash.”

He added that the other five suspects, who were roommates of the suspected burglars, partook in the sharing of the booty, either in cash while others, handsets and computers.

Shehu confirmed that one Sadiq Abubakar, 20 of Yankoli Qtrs Hadejia was arrested on Friday, 26th of August 2022 on a suspected case of trespass and theft .

He said the offence was contrary to Sections 342 & 286 and punishable under sections 348 and 287 of Penal Code law of the State.

“At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of 6kg and 3kg gas cylinders, valued at N20,000 and a Hauwei android phone valued at N18,000.

“Upon investigation, it was discovered that the suspect jumped into one Zubairu Sule’s residence at Fanisau Quarters, Hadejia LGA on Monday, 15th day of August, 2022 and stole the said items.”

He disclosed that both suspects have confessed to the crime and would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction.