Bauchi Police Debunks Boko Haram Presence in Bauchi State
By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Bauchi State police command has debunked the news making rounds that Boko Haram insurgents have infiltrated some local government areas of the state bordering Yobe State.
The police implore the public to disregard the news that Boko Haram have infiltrated the state, and go about their normal business as the media reports lack both merit and basis.
In a press statement signed and issued by the Command’s public relations officer (PPRO) SP Ahmad Mohammad Wakil (ANIPR), on behalf of the State police commissioner said, “no Boko Haram insurgents infiltrated the four LGAs of the state”.
The statement read in part:
“The attention of the Bauchi State Police Command has been drawn to viral media publications making the rounds that Boko Haram fighter have infiltrated four local government areas of the state, quoting the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Sabiu Baba, after an emergency Security Council meeting convened by the state Governor Bala Mohammad.
“We therefore wish to correct that the erroneous narrative being peddled around is not a true account of what transpired at the Security Council meeting, neither is it the reality on ground as being portrayed to reflect the position of the State Government.
“For the records, the Security Council Meeting was convened by the State Governor to discuss arising security concerns in order to forestall influx of fleeing Gaidam and Kanam residents from Yobe State after the Boko Haram elements attacked the two towns.
“In a press briefing by the SSG, he made it clear that the meeting discussed proactive ways of ensuring that adequate security is emplaced to prevent influx of criminal elements from neighbouring states to Bauchi State.
“He made reference to a noticeable influx of some suspicious visitors including some criminal elements found to have stolen telecommunication equipment five of which were arrested and they are under investigation.
“Another case in point is the apprehended suspects , who stole Mikano generators from Geidam and were heading to Kano through Bauchi State.
“This occurred on 28/04/2021 at about 0300hrs when a distress call was received from Gashua Yobe state that a Generator Engine, Maikano So 13, was stolen loaded in a Tanker vehicle and headed to Gamawa-Kano road. On receipt of the report, The Policemen of Gamawa Division in collaboration with the military conducted stop and search at the Gololo military check point and the effort yielded positive result as the vehicle was intercepted with two stolen Engines 1, Maikano So 13 and 2,Jubail Bros P 20.
“Also, two Suspects Felix Chukwe ‘m’ and Chinedu Uche all of Imo State origin were arrested in connection to the crime.
“The suspects were arrested and the vehicle impounded, investigated and profiled (please see accompanying photos).
“After preliminary investigation both the suspects and the exhibits were handed over to Yobe State Command.
“Bauchi State Police Command will continue to do everything within its power and capacity to ensuring adequate security of lives and property.
“Meanwhile, we wish to task citizens of the state to continue to be law abiding while ensuring they report any suspicious incidence to the nearest police station”, the statement concludes.