Operatives of Katsina  State Police Command have arrested two suspects over the alleged murder of a police officer in Funtua area of the state.

The operatives have also launched a manhunt for 14 other suspects in connection with the murder.

The spokesperson for the command, Abubakar Aliyu, confirmed the development on Wednesday, in a press release highlighting the command’s operations and achievements in October.

The arrested suspects, Suleiman Salisu, 22 and Umar Shehu,25, are both of Barkia Dutse village, Funtua Local Government Area of the state.

Aliyu also gave the names of the other 15 suspects who are currently at large and have been declared wanted in connection with the murder and other crimes as  Umar Shehu; Sani Lawal; Bature Suleiman, Ya’u Kachalla; Abdullahi Master; Bashujo; Musa Boss; Kabiru Baidu; Sanusi Baidu; Umar Gurgu; Oga Iliya; Nura Officer; Yellow; Nasiru Tukur and Abubakar Salisu, all of different addresses.

Aliyu said, “The suspects confessed to having shot and killed one Inspector Bala Magaji attached to Central Police Station Funtua while responding to a distress call with respect to the gang’s activity. Efforts are on with a view to arresting the fleeing suspects as the investigation proceeds.”

But he did not disclose when the police officer was murdered.

Speaking on the command’s operations and achievements in October as follows, he said, “From October 1 – 31, within the period under review, a total of about 75 cases of major crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, culpable homicides, and cattle rustling among others, were reported, and 72 cases were charged to court as total number of 134 suspects were arrested.

“A total number of 13 suspected armed robbers, eight  murder suspects, 39 suspected rapists, six suspects in possession of illicit drugs, and a total number of 50 suspects were arrested for various offences such as criminal force, intimidation, inciting disturbance and belonging to a gang of brigands, among others.”

He also revealed that during the period, the command succeeded in rescuing 23 kidnapped victims, and recovered one English pistol; six rounds of live ammunition and one suspected stolen motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the  state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Musa, applauded the residents for their cooperation with security agents, urging them to do more in exposing criminals and their hideouts to make the state crime-free.

Culled from PUNCH