Yobe State Police Command has successfully dismantled a criminal syndicate involved in burglary, theft, and phone snatching across key areas of Damaturu, arresting seven suspects and recovering stolen mobile phones. The operation, conducted between April 16 and 19, 2026, targeted a notorious gang operating in Nayinawa, Bindigari, One Million Road, and Pompomari wards. The arrests were made following a coordinated effort by operatives of the ‘A’ Division, Damaturu, under the command’s intensified crime suppression initiative.
The Public Relations Officer of the Yobe State Police Command, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Damaturu. He named the seven suspects as Usman Mohd, 20; Abubakar Adamu, 20; Mohd Ibrahim, 22; Mohd Goni, 19; Khalifa Mohd, 19; Abubakar Mohammed, 19; and Ali Mohammed, 23. All are residents of Damaturu and were apprehended during the multi-day operation that focused on high-crime zones within the metropolis.
During interrogation, the suspects admitted to their roles in a series of criminal activities, including breaking into homes, stealing personal belongings, and snatching mobile phones from unsuspecting victims. The police noted that the gang had been operating with relative impunity, preying on residents in densely populated areas. The recovered phones are part of a broader haul of stolen goods linked to the group’s criminal network.
The investigation is still ongoing, with authorities working to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and identify any accomplices who may still be at large. The police have also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The Command emphasized that such operations are part of a wider strategy to restore public confidence and ensure safety in urban communities.
This crackdown comes amid rising concerns over property crime in Damaturu, with residents increasingly reporting incidents of theft and phone snatching. The successful dismantling of this syndicate is seen as a significant step in curbing criminal activities in the state capital. The Yobe State Police Command remains committed to maintaining law and order, with more operations expected in the coming weeks.
The arrests send a strong message to other criminal elements that the police are actively pursuing offenders. As investigations continue, the suspects are being held in custody pending further legal proceedings. This operation underscores the police’s dedication to protecting lives and property in Yobe State.
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