PHOTO: Nigerian Police Dismiss 14 Policemen For Selling Arms To Criminals...

The police authorities have dismissed 14 policemen for selling arms and explosives to militants and kidnappers and for aiding them to perpetrate their nefarious activities across the country. Nine of the dismissed policemen, paraded before journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, were also alleged to have connived with other criminals to engage in cattle rustling and armed robbery in the North-East.

The suspects, who had been stripped of their ranks, include ex-Assistant Superintendent of Police, Yuguda Abbah; ex-Sergeants Habila Sarki, Diphen Nimmyel, Yasan Danda, Abbas Mailalle, Bwanason Tanko, Donan James and ex-Corporals Idris Salisu and Zakari Kofi.

The police spokesman, Donald Awunah, said the interrogation and confessions of the former policemen, led to the arrest of 29 principal suspects and recovery of many arms and ammunition. Exhibits recovered include 14 AK47 rifles with their numbers intact, three AK47 with their numbers etched out, one pump action rifle, one locally-made pistol, 42 empty magazines, 363 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, 71 K2 live ammunition and 25 live cartridges.

Awunah said that in October, 2016, one Alhaji Hodi Adamu, a notorious armed robbery suspect was arrested by the police in Adamawa State, saying that his confession led to the arrest of two other suspects, Rabo Bello and Oliver Honiol, whose statements led to the arrest of the nine dismissed policemen. “The principal suspects and the dismissed police officers will soon be charged to court,” he said.

Abbah, in an interview with newsmen, admitted to selling AK47 rifles to criminals, but he was not allowed to elaborate before he was taken away with his disgraced colleagues. Awunah further said that another set of four policemen, had also been dismissed for aiding and abetting criminal acts in Kogi State. He said that investigation revealed that ex-Sgts. Musbahu Yahaya, Ugenlo Sylvester, Musa Umar and ex-Cpl. Omale Edicha collaborated with a notorious kidnapper/armed robber, Zakari Isiaka, to carry out various violent crimes in the state.

The police said they recovered various exhibits from the suspects, including one AK-47 rifle, one G3 rifle, a Baretta rifle, an assault rifle, two K2 live ammunition, two AK-47 magazines; three K2 magazines and two G3 magazines. Awunah said, “On August 16, 2016, four policemen mentioned above, serving with the Kogi State command were arrested for compromising and conspiring with one Zakari Ya’u Isiaka, a notorious armed robber, kidnapper and murderer who has been on the wanted list of the police in Kogi State. “The suspect confessed to have been actively involved in many armed robberies, kidnapping and murder cases within Kogi and other North-Central states. The dismissed policemen were interrogated and found to have conspired and compromised their call to duty.”

In a similar development, the police alleged that ex-Sgt. Laibi Opakegba was intercepted discussing with one Abiodun Amos (aka Senti) about sourcing and supplying dynamites to militants. The Force spokesman explained that Amos , a 43 year-old militant and a native of Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State, was arrested at the bank of Majidun River in Ikorodu area of Lagos State while in possession of two AK47 rifles. He added that the suspect named other members of his militant group.