The Yobe State Police Command has arrested seven suspects accused of orchestrating a crime spree involving burglary, theft, and mobile phone snatching across Damaturu. The arrests came after a coordinated investigation by police officers who tracked the criminals to their hideouts in the state capital. Six stolen mobile phones were recovered from the suspects during the operation, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against street crimes in the region.
The police command confirmed the arrests in a statement released to journalists in Damaturu on Tuesday. Officials said the suspects had been terrorising residents and business owners in various parts of the city, particularly targeting unsuspecting pedestrians and shopkeepers. The operation demonstrated the command's commitment to tackling the rising wave of armed robbery and property theft that has plagued the commercial hub in recent months.
According to the police, the investigation into the criminal network began after multiple reports of phone snatching incidents came into the Damaturu divisional police headquarters. Officers intensified patrols and gathered intelligence from residents who had fallen victim to the gangs. The breakthrough came when undercover operatives managed to identify the location where the stolen items were being kept and distributed among members of the criminal network.
The six recovered phones are currently in police custody as evidence in the ongoing investigation. Each device has been documented and catalogued to help owners reclaim their property once the legal process concludes. The police command urged residents who lost phones during recent attacks to visit the station with proof of ownership and device details to claim their belongings.
Chief Superintendent of Police Mohammed Abubakar, the command's Public Relations Officer, told journalists that all seven suspects have made useful confessions during preliminary interrogation. He said they admitted to conducting multiple phone snatching operations and breaking into homes and shops across Damaturu over the past three months. Some suspects revealed information about other members of the criminal gang still at large, prompting the command to launch manhunts for additional suspects.
The police said the suspects will soon be charged to court once investigations are concluded. The command promised to intensify operations against criminal elements across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement. Damaturu has experienced a surge in street crimes over the past year, with residents repeatedly calling on security agencies to increase their presence in commercial areas and residential neighbourhoods.
The Yobe State Police Command said it will present the suspects and recovered items to prosecutors within the coming week for charges to be filed at the magistrate court in Damaturu.
