Operatives of the Borno State Police Command have arrested 85 suspects for sexual assault and other criminal activities in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, and Biu Local Councils of the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Hahum Daso, said the criminal activities included conspiracy, homicide and robbery which were allegedly perpetrated between October 1 and December 31, 2023.
According to the statement, the arrests were made by the Joint Anti-Vice Unit of the police, adding that the police recovered exhibits such as Indian hemp, a sword, two pots used for inhaling shisha, and five snatched mobile phones.
The 27 suspects out of the 49 recorded have been convicted while 14 cases are being investigated, with 31 others charged to court.
He explained that the syndicate operates by posing as house helps to steal the mobile phones of residents in the Maiduguri metropolis and Jere councils.
It said one of the suspects, “Saleh confessed to acquiring the weapon from one Abubakar of Kalimbo village, Yobe State, during Christmas and New Year festivities.
“We also arrested eight suspected Malian gang members during a raid of their hideouts in Mairi, Fori, Tashan Bama and Gwange communities of MMC and Jere council,” it said