The Police command in Jigawa state have recovered a stolen vehicle, seven cows, three sheep, six motorcycles and 5,886 assorted illicit drugs in separate operations conducted across the state.
SP Shiisu Lawan, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Dutse.
Lawan said the recoveries were made through intelligence-led operations and coordinated raids carried out by police personnel in collaboration with local vigilante and neighbourhood watch groups.
According to him, operatives arrested two suspects in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area on May 15 and recovered a Boxer motorcycle suspected to have been stolen from Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
He said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects confessed to the theft, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and return the motorcycle to its rightful owner.
The spokesman also said operatives attached to Malam Madori Division recovered two motorcycles, one cow and three sheep while pursuing suspected thieves on May 19.
“The suspects abandoned the items and escaped into nearby bushes on sighting the police team.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend them and trace the owners of the recovered property,” he said.
He further said that police operatives arrested a suspect accused of diverting a Toyota Hiace bus entrusted to him by his employer for an official assignment to Kano State.
He said the vehicle was recovered following intelligence gathering and a subsequent operation by the command.
In another case, two suspects were arrested in connection with the theft of a motorcycle after investigators discovered that the original colour of the motorcycle had allegedly been altered in an attempt to conceal its identity.
The police spokesman said an intelligence-led operation along the Kano–Maiduguri road in Kiyawa Local Government Area also led to the interception of a vehicle conveying four cows suspected to have been stolen.
He said five suspects were arrested in connection with the case, while the vehicle and livestock were recovered as exhibits.
Similarly, two suspects were arrested over alleged cattle rustling, while two cows suspected to have been stolen from Shanwure village in Auyo Local Government Area were recovered.
Lawan said coordinated raids on criminal hideouts and black spots across the state resulted in the recovery of 5,886 assorted illicit drugs and N28,750 suspected to be proceeds of illicit drug sales.
He added that several suspected drug dealers were arrested during the operation.
Commenting on the achievements, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Haruna A. Yahaya, commended officers involved in the operations as well as members of the public and local vigilante groups for their continued support.
“The successes recorded underscore the importance of intelligence sharing and community partnership in combating crime.
“The command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state,” Yahaya said.
Lawan said all suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.