The Adamawa State Police Command has announced the arrest of 72 suspects accused of committing a range of offences between July and September 2025.
Commissioner of Police, Morris Dankombo, disclosed the development during a press briefing held in Yola on Friday, noting that 57 of the suspects had already been charged to court, while 15 others remain under investigation for different crimes.
According to him, the arrests followed joint operations by the Anti-Kidnapping Crack Squad, Intelligence Units, Tactical Squad, Area Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers. The offences attributed to the suspects include kidnapping, robbery, culpable homicide, abduction, rape, theft, and other sexual crimes.
Dankombo further revealed that security operatives recovered 15 firearms, including AK-47 rifles and locally fabricated pistols, alongside 111 rounds of assorted live ammunition, seven vehicles, and 25 rustled cattle. He added that the cattle had been returned to their rightful owners.
Addressing the responsibilities of officers, the police commissioner cautioned that civil disputes should not be entertained by the force. He emphasized that the Police Act 2020 forbids officers from meddling in issues such as debt recovery, tenancy disagreements, family disputes, or contractual matters, stressing that complainants must instead be directed to civil courts or alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Dankombo also appealed to members of the public to provide testimony in court in rape cases, explaining that without evidence, ensuring justice for survivors remains difficult.
He reassured that the command remains committed to upholding law and order while warning officers against any abuse of their roles as defined by the constitution and the Police Act.
