The police in Bauchi State have debunked the alleged manhandling of one Abidina Aminu, 28, which led to his death.
LEADERSHIP gathered that Aminu lured his accomplices, Mas’ud Ibrahim and Muhammad Aliyu to Zango area of Bauchi metropolis to steal a ram belonging to one Zainab Dahiru.
However, residents of the area arrested them and handed them over to personnel of the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria (PROHAN).
While in the custody of PROHAN, Aminu had a bruise on his hand and one of his accomplices, Ibrahim Shehu, fractured his right leg.
Operatives of PROHAN took the suspects to the D Divisional Police Headquarters, Dutsen Tanshi area and tried to hand them over including the injured victims but the DPO rejected them and ordered that the injured suspects be taken to hospital for treatment.
The spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, in a statement made available to reporters said the command took over the matter from PROHAN and referred it to Dusten-Tanshi Divisional crime branch for investigation and prosecution.
He said police investigation revealed that four suspects were arrested in connection with the alleged stealing of a ram. He identified them as one Masud Ibrahim, 14; Muhammad Aliyu, 14; Abidina Aminu, 28 and Ibrahim Shehu, 35.
“Investigation revealed that the 3rd defendant (Abidina Aminu) deceitfully lured the 1st and the 2nd defendants (Masud Ibrahim and Muhammad Aliyu) and took them on his motorcycle to the Zango area, where they criminally conspired and stole the ram.
“But were unlucky, some good Samaritans sighted them and raised the alarm, which forced the 3rd defendant (Abidina Aminu) to abscond and abandon his accomplices, while the 1st and the 2nd defendants were chased and arrested by the inhabitants of Zango community.
“During the interview by the PROHAN, he confessed to having committed the alleged offences and further revealed that the 4th defendant (Ibrahim Shehu) is part of their gang as well as the receiver of all stolen properties (sheep and goats). He further narrated that their operations cover the Zango area, Gwallagan Mayaki, and even Fadaman Mada area, of Bauchi metropolis respectively,” the statement reads in part.
Wakil added that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Dutsen Tanshi Division charged the suspects to Tashan Babiye Magistrate Court on three-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property.
He said Ibrahim, Aliyu, Shehu and Sani admitted the charges and were convicted after the court found them guilty, while Abidina Aminu pleaded not guilty and the case was adjourned for hearing but he was admitted to bail by the court.
Wakil said the police have arrested the PROHAN personnel who acted in excess of their authority and took the law into their own hands, and cruelly caused injury to the defendant’s hands and sabotaged the course of justice.