The Yobe State Police Command said its operatives have arrested three suspects in possession of dangerous weapons during a raid on criminal hideouts in Damaturu.

The command, in a statement issued on Monday by its public relations officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, indicated that the raid on criminal hideouts followed directives from the Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, to police operatives in the state.

“During the operation, three suspects, all residents of Moduri Ward, were apprehended in possession of dangerous weapons and suspected charms believed to be used for protection during criminal activities or violent confrontations with rival groups.

“The suspects arrested are Yusuf Garba, 19; Dauda Kolo, 22; and Rabiu Hamza, 20. Exhibits recovered include four knives measuring approximately 20 inches each and four heavy sticks as well as one machete,” the command added.

It said investigations have commenced to ascertain the motive behind the possession of the deadly weapons, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate currently at large.

“The command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property, while intensifying efforts to address youth hooliganism, drug and substance abuse, and other related violent crimes across the state,” the statement said.

The death of a senior officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr Lumi Elisha Gwamis, has thrown residents of Boi District in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State into mourning.

DAILY POST reports that Gwamis, 44, was the eldest son of a former executive chairman of Bogoro LGA, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis.

Reports circulating within the community alleged that the deceased had been battling depression and anxiety before his death, with some residents suggesting he died by suicide.

Speaking during a condolence visit on Monday, the deceased’s father, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis, described the incident as shocking and painful.

“My son, Lumi, was healthy and hearty. None of us was aware of what he was about to do. It was later that we heard the bad news. It is very unfortunate, and all of us are full of sorrow,” he said.

Residents and sympathisers across Bogoro LGA have continued to express grief over the incident, describing the officer’s death as unfortunate.

The deceased is scheduled to be buried on Wednesday, June 10, following a funeral service in Boi, Bogoro LGA.

He is survived by his father, Hon. Elisha Tula Gwamis; his mother, Mrs Saratu Elisha Gwamis; and several siblings.

However, the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone D, Bauchi, has dismissed reports suggesting that the officer died by suicide.

The public relations officer of the unit, Umar Abdullahi, while speaking with DAILY POST, said the service had not received any information indicating that the deceased took his own life.

“What the father of the deceased told us was that he was sick. He came to the office accompanied by his father to document, having been newly posted to the unit from Tin Can Island Port. He took annual leave, which he was entitled to, and left with his father,” Abdullahi said.

“Then the father called us and told us that the officer had died. So, we cannot say that he killed himself since the father didn’t tell us that. We cannot work with rumours or what people are saying; we work based on what the father told us.

“He hasn’t worked with us here. He just reported and took annual leave. He was recently transferred to Bauchi. When he came and reported, before we posted him, his father told us that he was sick. The officer even said that when he returned, we would allocate an office for him to work. So, what I told you is the only information we have.”

The circumstances surrounding Gwamis’ death remain unclear at the time of filing this report.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Kwara State Command, has arrested a fake soldier, Akinola Tosin, 34, for alleged involvement in fraud and impersonation, DAILY POST reports.

The suspect was apprehended following a complaint that he defrauded a Point-of-Sale, POS, operator through the use of a fake bank transfer alert.

According to a statement by the spokesman of the command, Ayoola Michael Shola in Ilorin on Monday, “Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect collected the sum of N40,600 after presenting a fake debit alert to the POS operator, deceiving the victim into believing a successful transfer had been made.

“Further investigations revealed that the suspect had been impersonating a member of the Nigerian Army using a fake military identity card bearing his name, alongside military-related paraphernalia, which he allegedly used to gain public trust and facilitate his criminal activities.

“The suspect also confessed to previous fraudulent activities involving multiple victims, while further investigation uncovered a suspected accomplice, identified as one Feranmi Idoko Godwin, who is currently at large.”

Ayoola further disclosed that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and conclude investigations.

Items recovered from the suspect include, two Opay ATM cards, two UBA ATM cards, two First Bank ATM cards, one PalmPay ATM card and one National Identity Card.

The suspect will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations, the statement added.

The NSCDC Commandant, Abbas Ndah Mohammed, reaffirmed the corps’ unwavering commitment to combating crime and other forms of criminality, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and verify electronic transactions before releasing cash, goods or other valuables.