DAMATURU, NIGERIA – Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command have arrested five suspects in separate operational sweeps across the state following allegations of commercial fraud, the vandalism of critical electricity infrastructure, and a violent personal attack involving a lethal weapon.
The operational successes were disclosed in an official press statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, who reaffirmed the police leadership’s commitment to safeguarding lives, private property, and public infrastructure throughout Yobe State.
Impersonation and Commercial Fraud in Damaturu
In the state capital, detectives attached to the ‘A’ Division Police Headquarters in Damaturu apprehended two suspects in connection with a fraudulent scheme targeting local traders along the Ajari–Gashua Road.
According to police reports, the fraudulent transaction occurred on July 31, 2026, when an accomplice impersonated a shop owner via a phone call, tricking shop attendants into releasing one carton of OBA spaghetti and two half-bags of parboiled rice.
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Following a discreet investigation prompted by a complaint, police tracked down and arrested a 26-year-old resident of the Zanna Zakarya Housing Estate, along with a 25-year-old accomplice from the Waziri Ibrahim Housing Estate.
Both suspects reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, allowing law enforcement officers to recover the stolen food items as registered exhibits pending court prosecution.
Community Collaboration Foils Transformer Vandalism in Fika
In a separate enforcement action, police officers from the Fika Divisional Police Headquarters successfully neutralised an electricity infrastructure vandalism network following a distress call received early Thursday morning.
Residents had alerted authorities at approximately 8:00 a.m. after discovering that unidentified vandals had damaged a community electrical transformer and severed its heavy-duty power cable.
Mobilising rapidly in coordination with local vigilante groups and community members, police operatives tracked down a 23-year-old suspect found in direct possession of the stolen transformer cable.
Interrogation of the primary suspect led to the subsequent arrest of two additional co-conspirators, bringing the total number of suspects detained in the vandalism operation to three.
The stolen power cable was fully recovered as investigation continues to unravel the broader criminal network.
Domestic Altercation Leads to Bow and Arrow Attack in Tarmuwa
Meanwhile, the command is actively investigating a severe case of assault and domestic violence reported at the Tarmuwa Divisional Police Headquarters, which left one victim hospitalised with grave injuries.
Preliminary findings indicate that the incident stemmed from an altercation at Danewa-Biriri village in the Tarmuwa Local Government Area, where a 22-year-old suspect allegedly confronted his wife near her parents’ residence after claiming to have discovered her in a compromising situation with another man.
During the ensuing confrontation, the suspect allegedly drew a bow and arrow and shot the victim, inflicting serious body injuries.
Police operatives promptly apprehended the suspect, while the injured victim was rushed to the Police Hospital in Damaturu, where he is currently undergoing emergency medical treatment.
Police Leadership Issues Warning Against Self-Help
Reiterating the command’s stance on law and order, the Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, Usman Jibrin, urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and strictly avoid taking the law into their own hands during disputes.
The police chief assured residents that all five suspects involved in the separate incidents remain in custody undergoing detailed investigations, after which they will be formally charged to court to face legal prosecution.
