27 arrested over Naval officer’s de¶th in Kaduna
The Kaduna Police Command has arrested 27 suspects as it begun a major crackdown on criminals in the Kawo area of the state where a Naval officer, Lieutenant Commander M. Buba, was stabbed to death by suspected phone snatchers while attempting to fix a flat tyre on his vehicle.
In the process of arresting the suspected criminals, the police recovered a significant cache of dangerous weapons and hard drugs.
Buba, a student at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, near Kaduna, was returning to base when the incident occurred around 4:30 am on Saturday, according to military and eyewitness sources.
It was learnt that the officer had stopped by the roadside to fix the deflated tyre when an unidentified assailant approached and demanded his mobile phone.
When he resisted, the attacker stabbed him in the chest with a sharp object believed to be a locally made knife.
The officer was rushed to the Manaal Hospital but was confirmed dead on arrival. His remains were later deposited at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital mortuary.
In a twist, PUNCH Metro gathered that a local vigilante, Suleiman Dahiru, who attempted to intervene during the altercation was also stabbed in the hand.
However, passersby reportedly overpowered the assailant and lynched him on the spot.
A spokesman for the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Lt. Col. Umar Adamu, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was ongoing to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the attack.
The killing has sparked concerns over the resurgence of urban gangsters known as ‘Sara Suka’, particularly around the Kawo area, which has seen repeated reports of robberies and attacks in recent months.
The operation, which was conducted in collaboration with the military, Department of State Service, Kadgis, and vigilante groups, was part of the command’s efforts to identify, flush out, and dismantle criminal elements threatening the peace in some designated areas.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Mansir Hassan, stated that the operation was launched on Sunday, at about 8:30 pm.
In a statement, Hassan disclosed, “The joint tactical operation was launched in the nook and cranny of Kawo and neighbouring areas, leading to the arrest of 27 suspects and the recovery of dangerous weapons.”
He added that the operatives recovered exhibit (weapons) including knives, axes, cutlasses, and large quantities of dried leaves suspected to be “Indian hemp” and other hard drugs.
Consequently, he said the command assured residents of its continued commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.
He quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad to have reiterated the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order across the state.
The police spokesman said the CP also warned that anyone with intentions to cause violence or disrupt public order “is strongly advised to desist or vacate the state.”
