The police in Gombe State, Northeast Nigeria, have arrested four suspected kidnappers and another four suspects for rape.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Maikudi Shehu, made the development known when he briefed newsmen in Gombe on Wednesday.
Shehu said, ”there has been an upsurge in kidnapping in Gombe South, while rape has become a trending crime in the state.”
He attributed the prevalence of kidnapping in Gombe South to its geographical features, saying that the area has lots of rocks where kidnappers hid their victims.
“We have been having an upsurge in kidnapping from the axis, around Pindiga, Billiri and Filiya; people have been taken and various amounts of money have been collected in ransom.
“An incident happened the day before yesterday where a particular man was adopted from his home by seven persons and led into the bush, and in the process, they got to a rock and decided to rest,” Shehu said.
He said that man managed to escape and drew the attention of the people around the area, who invited vigilantes and hunters and the case was eventually reported to the police.
In a related development, the commissioner said another case of kidnapping in the same location was foiled by the police as the suspects abandoned their motorcycles and their victim.
Shehu also stated that four suspected rapists were arrested for defiling a 10-year-old girl and a 14 years old girl.
He explained that rape had become a trending crime in the state with over 250 cases recorded in 2020 out of which 200 were taken to court.
“The command received over seven reported cases of rape in the last six days of the new year, which is unacceptable,” Shehu said.
He, however, said that measures were being taken by relevant stakeholders to address the crimes.
Support Our Journalism
There are millions of ordinary people affected by conflict in Africa whose stories are missing in the mainstream media. HumAngle is determined to tell those challenging and under-reported stories, hoping that the people impacted by these conflicts will find the safety and security they deserve.
To ensure that we continue to provide public service coverage, we have a small favour to ask you. We want you to be part of our journalistic endeavour by contributing a token to us.
Your donation will further promote a robust, free, and independent media.
Donate Here
