Police arrest seven over phone snatching, burglary in Yobe

The Yobe State Police Command has arrested seven suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in burglary, theft, and phone snatching in parts of Damaturu, the state capital. ‎ ‎The police said the suspects were apprehended during a coordinated operation carried out by operatives of ‘A’ Division, Damaturu, between April 16 and 19, 2026. ‎ This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim.

Abdulkarim said the operation targeted criminal activities in Nayinawa, Bindigari, One Million Road, and Pompomari areas. ‎ ‎“The Yobe State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat crime and criminality across the state,” the statement read. ‎ ‎Abdulkarim identified the suspects as Usman Mohd (20), Abubakar Adamu (20), Mohd Ibrahim (22), Mohd Goni (19), Khalifa Mohd (19), Abubakar Mohammed (19), and Ali Mohammed (23). ‎ ‎He disclosed that the suspects confessed to multiple criminal acts during interrogation. ‎ ‎“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in a series of burglary, theft, and phone snatching incidents within the affected areas,” he said. ‎ ‎The police spokesperson added that the suspects admitted to stealing seven Android phones and two keypad phones, noting that six of the stolen devices had already been recovered. ‎ ‎“They admitted to stealing seven Android phones and two keypad phones. Six of the stolen phones have been recovered,” Abdulkarim stated. ‎ ‎He further revealed that investigations were ongoing and that the suspects would be prosecuted upon conclusion. ‎ ‎“Investigation is ongoing with a view to prosecuting the suspects accordingly,” he added. ‎ ‎Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, commended the operatives for their efforts and urged them to sustain the tempo. ‎ ‎“The Commissioner of Police has commended the operatives for their professionalism and dedication, and has directed sustained operations targeting criminal hideouts and enclaves across the state,” the statement said. ‎ ‎The CP also stressed the importance of intelligence-driven policing and called on residents to support law enforcement agencies. ‎ ‎“He emphasised the need for enhanced surveillance and intelligence-led policing, while urging members of the public to continue to support the Police with credible information to aid in the fight against crime,” Abdulkarim added. ‎ ‎Recall that on Monday, the Ogun State Police Command arrested four suspected cultists for assault, armed robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm.

The suspects were identified as 25-year-old Samson John, 28-year-old Olufowora Michael, 25-year-old Odeh Samuel Ejeh, and 28-year-old Olajide Jeremiah.