Police nab couple for alleged theft, robbery, abduction in Yobe

Yobe State Police Command says its operatives have arrested a couple who specialised in robbing unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Dungus Abdulkarim disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Damaturu on Thursday.

The suspects, according to the statement are: Abdullahi Ibrahim, aged 25 and Khadija Ali, aged 20, who disguised as Christians and defrauded their unsuspecting victims by claiming to have converted to Islam.

“On 4th June 2023, at about 1600hrs, they (suspects) approached Gudi Emirate Council in Fika LGA, disguising as Christian faithful from Plateau State and intending to convert to Islam.

“They were subsequently accepted and converted to Islam and, as such, placed in the custody of the Chief Imam to accommodate them for teaching and proper guidance”, the PPRO said.

The PPRO added that the suspects robbed the Iman’s son of his motorcycle after his father assigned him to accompany them to a nearby bush to collect some ash from the debris of thunder stroke spot to prepare traditional medicine for their underlying ailments.

“The matter was later reported to the Fika Divisional Police headquarters, where immediate efforts commenced to trail the culprits.

“On 1st July, information reached the Division that they were sighted in Biu LGA of Borno State perpetrating similar acts and fortunately, on 5th July 2023 at 1400hrs, detectives from the Division reacted and apprehended the suspects”, DSP Abdulkarim disclosed.

He further said investigation revealed that Mr Abdullahi is an indigene of Yobe State, and both are Muslims with the names: Abdullahi Ibrahim of Sabon Garin Mai Mala of Gujba local government area and Khadija Ali from Gombe State.

“Information also indicated that the suspects are habitual criminals leaving footprints in Azare in Bauchi State, Golam in Adamawa State, Madaci Gaya in Kano State and Biu LGA of Borno State, among other states.

“They have confessed to the crimes of alleged stealing, robbery and abduction in the same manner on their unsuspecting victims”, he said.

The PPRO maintained that investigation is currently ongoing and that the suspects would be charged to court upon completion.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed has urged people of the state to be conscious of those types of impostors by always reporting to the nearest police station any visitor who may want to convert to any religion for proper interview and documentation.