The Police Command in Sokoto State on Thursday said it has arrested no fewer than three suspects over alleged possession of illicit drugs and deadly weapons in the state.
A statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Sanusi Abubakar, confirmed that the suspects were arrested during an intelligence led operation.
According to Abubakar, the operation is conducted in a move to prevent vulnerable youths from being radicalized and used as political thugs ahead of the 2023 electioneering campaigns in the state.
He said the suspects; Mansur Yusuf, Bashiru Aliyu, and Abdulwahid Zakari, were arrested while rehearsing to employ unprovoked violent action on unsuspecting people in the state.
“This police action is the product of a sustained round-the-clock patrol by strategic commanders in the state as directed by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel.
“It is in the light of the foregoing that the CP is advising politicians to warn their followers to always respect the law and refrain from engaging in acts that could endanger human lives or escalate acts likely to cause destruction of property,” he said.
The police spokesman added that the command was determined to take decisive actions and ensure appropriate punishment of potential offenders according to extant laws and provisions of the constitution.
He said the poluce commissioner has reiterated that “this is the beginning of a new dawn in Sokoto as all potential criminal elements are advised to change for better or face the full wrath of the law.
“Therefore, the command is appealing to members of the public to be watchful of their children’s behaviour and prepare them as advocates of peace.
“The CP is assuring the public of the command’s readiness to take the fight against criminal elements to their door steps while encouraging all to report any unusual happenings to police or through the emergency number 07068848035,” he said.