Police operatives in Yobe State have arrested three young men following a raid on criminal hideouts in Damaturu. The operation was carried out on the directives of the state's Commissioner of Police, Usman Kanfani Jibrin.
SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the command's spokesman, confirmed the arrests in a statement released Monday. All three suspects hail from Moduri Ward in the state capital.
The arrested men are Yusuf Garba, 19 years old; Dauda Kolo, 22; and Rabiu Hamza, 20. Officers recovered four knives, each measuring about 20 inches, during the operation.
Also seized were four heavy sticks and one machete from the hideouts. Investigators also found suspected charms allegedly used for ritualistic protection during criminal activities.
According to the police command, the charms were believed to offer protection during violent clashes with rival gangs. Interrogation has begun to establish why they possessed the weapons.
Abdulkarim noted that authorities are still hunting for other members of the criminal network. Those suspects remain at large and are being actively pursued.
In his words, the command is determined to protect residents and their property across Yobe. The police say they'll intensify crackdowns on youth gangs, drug abuse, and violent crime throughout the state.
