The Gombe State Police Command has clamped down on criminals across the state, leading to the recovery of stolen vehicles, arrest of suspects, and seizure of a locally made pistol.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Buhari Abdullahi disclosed this in a statement obtained by Arewa PUNCH.
The police mouthpiece noted that the successful operations 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,” he added.
According to the statement, “the first breakthrough occurred on October 13, 2025, when a patrol team from 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 the chase on a motorcycle.
“The suspects also ran into trouble when their vehicle developed a flat tyre near Laura village.
“As the officers approached, one of the suspects allegedly struck a police constable with a pestle before fleeing on a motorcycle, abandoning the vehicle.
“Upon inspection, detectives discovered that the supposed Toyota Prado was actually a Lexus Jeep that had been repainted black and altered to disguise its identity.
“Further investigation revealed that the vehicle had been stolen from Abuja on October 5, 2025, and the theft was earlier reported at Nyanya Police Division, FCT.
“We are already collaborating with the FCT Police Command to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure justice is served,” DSP Abdullahi confirmed.
In another operation, the police in 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.
Again, DSP Buhari Abdullahi narrated the incident to our correspondent: “The vehicle was reportedly stolen from Central Roundabout, Gombe, on October 15, 2025, around 9:18 p.m
“Thanks to swift intelligence gathering, detectives tracked and arrested Bappari later that night. The stolen vehicle was recovered intact and secured as an exhibit.”
He added, “Our detectives acted with precision and speed to recover the vehicle within hours of the complaint. Investigation is still ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate.”
The Command also arrested one Augustine Nkwakoye of Bolari Quarters for alleged possession of a locally made pistol and one cartridge.
“The incident occurred on October 14, 2025, when a misunderstanding between the suspect and a customer at Old Tipper Garage escalated into a threat.
Nkwakoye allegedly pulled out a pistol and threatened to shoot the complainant but was swiftly disarmed by a bystander. Police later recovered the weapon from his residence.
“The case has been transferred to the State CID for further investigation,” Abdullahi added.
