The Gombe State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal elements across the state, resulting in the recovery of stolen vehicles, the arrest of suspects, and the seizure of a locally made pistol.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, confirmed the development in a statement made available to Arewa PUNCH, noting that the successes were achieved through credible intelligence and proactive policing.
“These arrests and recoveries reflect our commitment to ensuring Gombe remains one of the safest states in Nigeria. The Command will continue to pursue criminals until the state is completely free of their activities,” Abdullahi said.
According to the statement, the first major breakthrough occurred on October 13, 2025, when a patrol team from the Balanga Division intercepted a suspicious black Toyota Jeep with registration number ABUJA ABC 241 DW along the Bangu–Laura feeder road.
“Upon sighting the police, the suspects sped off, prompting a chase. During the pursuit, the police patrol vehicle suffered a flat tyre, forcing two officers to continue on a motorcycle,” the PPRO explained.
The suspects later suffered a similar fate when their vehicle developed a flat tyre near Laura village. As officers approached, one of the suspects allegedly attacked a police constable with a pestle before fleeing on a motorcycle, abandoning the vehicle.
A subsequent inspection revealed that the vehicle, initially believed to be a Toyota Prado, was actually a Lexus Jeep that had been repainted and altered to conceal its identity.
Further investigation confirmed that the Lexus SUV was stolen from Abuja on October 5, 2025, and had been reported missing at the Nyanya Police Division in the Federal Capital Territory.
“We are already collaborating with the FCT Police Command to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure justice is served,” DSP Abdullahi stated.
In another operation, police officers from the Gombe Division arrested 45-year-old Sani Bappari of Mallam Inna Quarters for allegedly stealing an ash-coloured Honda Civic with registration number DKU 564 AA.
“The vehicle was stolen from Central Roundabout, Gombe, on October 15, 2025, around 9:18 p.m. Detectives tracked and arrested Bappari later that night. The stolen vehicle was recovered intact and secured as an exhibit,” Abdullahi said.
He added that investigations were ongoing to uncover other members of the car theft syndicate.
In a separate incident, one Augustine Nkwakoye of Bolari Quarters was arrested for illegal possession of a locally made pistol and a cartridge.
“The incident occurred on October 14, 2025, following a dispute at the Old Tipper Garage. The suspect allegedly pulled a pistol and threatened to shoot his customer but was swiftly disarmed by a bystander,” Abdullahi narrated.
Police later recovered the weapon from Nkwakoye’s residence, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiry.
The police spokesman urged residents to continue providing timely information to assist law enforcement efforts in maintaining peace and security across the state.
