Police arrest ‘vandals’ in Sokoto, say officers rejected N800k bribe

The Sokoto police command says the sum of N800,000 in bribe money was rejected by its personnel, when they intercepted a vehicle loaded with wires in the Birnin Kebbi area of the state.

Sanusi Abubakar, police spokesperson in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Abubakar said the operatives who were on patrol in the area, intercepted a Sharon vehicle with Reg. No. KSF 356 Lagos and also arrested three suspects for attempting to bribe the police.

He said the officers recovered twelve rolls of copper wires suspected to be stolen from an electric pole.

“The suspects, Rufa’i Sani, Yusha’u Abubakar, and Ahmadu Bello, attempted to bribe the police with the sum of N800,000 to allow passage,” NAN quoted Abubakar as saying.

“However, our policemen collected  the money as exhibits and brought the suspects with their vehicle to the state criminal and investigation department for discreet investigation.”

In another development, officers attached to the Bodinga police station, while on patrol, arrested four suspects with copper wires on May 13.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to have criminally conspired with one Habibu Nimadi and vandalised a transformer,” he said.

“However, police investigation revealed that the transformer is located at Kauran Mido area in Bodinga local government.

The police spokesperson said Ali Kaigama, Sokoto commissioner of police, commended the officers for demonstrating professionalism by refusing the bribe.

“The command also warns against any attempt to perpetrate any unwanted  acts before, during and after the forthcoming inauguration,” he added.

“The police, in conjunction with all security agencies will collaborate effectively to decisively deal with anyone that attempts to lay an attack on innocent civilians under the guise of whatsoever reason.

“The command is equally assuring members of the public that it will sustain its tempo in vigorous patrol and raiding of criminal hideouts until the good people of the state sleep with their two eyes closed.”