The Yobe State Police Command has said its operatives have arrested 14 suspected drug dealers and recovered a large quantity of illicit drugs during a coordinated raid on criminal hideouts in Jakusko Local Government Area.

According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the operation targeted drug joints at Buduwa Market in Jakusko LGA as part of the command’s sustained efforts to crack down on criminal activities across the state.

The suspects, arrested while allegedly engaging in the sale, consumption and abuse of illicit drugs, include Hamisu Umar, 20; Usman Wakili, 25; Aliyu Mohammed, 20; Hassan Ali, 35; Dudduwa Dorsha, 27; Adamu Hussaini, 27; Sale Adamu, 27; and Adamu Umaru, 25.

Others are Babaru Hassan, 28; Dangi Maikudi, 22; Hassan Audu, 29; Abubakar Usman, 29; Ahmadu Waziri, 23;  and Daudu Yusuf, 20.

“Items recovered from them include over 300 sachets and packages of various illicit drugs such as Tramadol, Vega tablets, Indian hemp, and other prohibited and controlled substances.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspects are assisting with useful information to facilitate the arrest of other members of the criminal network.

“They will be charged in court upon conclusion of investigation,” the command noted.

In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, Usman Kanfani Jibrin, directed all area commanders, divisional police officers and tactical commanders to intensify raids on identified criminal hideouts and black spots across the state.

CP Jibrin reiterated the command’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and substance abuse, noting that the menace remains a major catalyst for violent crimes and other criminal activities.

The Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspected cultists during an intelligence-led operation targeting criminal elements allegedly terrorising the Apapa, Ijora and Badia areas of the state.

The arrests were carried out by officers of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects.

Police said in a statement that the operation first led to the arrest of a 25-year-old suspect, Abubakar Ayomide, also known as “Garbazin”, who later directed operatives to the group’s hideout, where four other suspected members were arrested.

The other suspects were identified as Tanko Yusuf, 23; Ahmed Abibu, 24; Abubakar Shafi, 23; and Fatai Mohammed, 25.

According to the police, the principal suspect confessed to being a member of the Aiye Confraternity and has provided investigators with useful information to aid ongoing investigations.

The command added that efforts are underway to track down other members of the criminal gang and conclude investigations before prosecution.

A search of the hideout led to the recovery of one battle axe, one UTC knife, two other knives, one hammer, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, suspected criminal charms and other exhibits.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, warned cultists and other criminal elements operating across the state to abandon their illegal activities or face the consequences.

“There is no hiding place for cultists in Lagos, as the Command remains resolute in identifying, arresting, and prosecuting every individual involved in cult-related violence and other criminal acts,” he said. 

The Commissioner also assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations across the state to tackle cultism and other violent crimes.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring them that all reports would be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

The police also encouraged residents to report emergencies or share useful information through the Command’s emergency lines.

The Osun State Police Command has commenced an investigation into a viral social media video showing a building in the Ibuaje Community of Osogbo, following concerns raised by its content and circulation online.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, the command said its attention was drawn to videos shared on TikTok by a user identified as Ajibola Yetunde Aramide, who expressed concern over the occupants of a building located on Oluwatosin Alabi Street, Odofin Estate, Ibuaje.

According to the police, “Mrs Aramide was seen in one of the videos knocking on the entrance gate of the property, claiming she had not seen the owner, whom she described as a member of the community, for a long time. 

“She also stated that the Holy Spirit prompted her to check on the resident.”

The statement added that Aramide recorded the compound and its surroundings before posting the footage on TikTok.

“In another video, she reportedly alleged that some people who built houses in the Abere-sise area had not been seen for a prolonged period and called on the Commissioner of Police and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter,” the statement said.

The police said officers immediately responded by locating the building and identifying its occupants, who were confirmed to be the wife of the property owner and a tenant.

As part of the preliminary investigation, the command also invited the Chairman and Secretary of the Abere-sise Community, alongside a representative of the traditional ruler, to verify the claims made in the videos.

According to the statement, “the community leaders confirmed that Mrs Ajibola Yetunde Aramide and her husband reside in the Abere-sise Community and stated that there was no evidence of the incidents alleged in the viral videos.”

The police disclosed that preliminary findings established that Aramide lives in Abere-sise, while the building featured in the videos is situated on Oluwatosin Alabi Street in Odofin Estate, Ibuaje.

The command said “Aramide later acknowledged the implications of her actions, removed the videos from her TikTok account, and publicly apologised to the owner of the building and the general public.”

The police noted that the publication of the videos raised concerns relating to the right to privacy and provisions of the Cybercrimes Act.

CP Gotan urged residents of Osun State to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring the public that a full investigation is ongoing. 

The Osun police boss also appealed to residents of the Ibuaje Community and surrounding areas with relevant information to assist investigators, and disclosed that the command has commenced full investigation into the matter.