57 Suspected looters of properties at demolition sites risk jail term, fines

For allegedly looting properties of shop owners at several demolition sites in Kano state, no fewer than 57 suspected thieves are facing various criminal charges in the state.

Making this disclosure, the police spokesperson in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the suspects would be charged with criminal trespass, mischief, shop breaking, and theft.

Kiyawa in a statement on Friday, added that the arrests were in line with the command’s resolve to protect the lives and properties of people in the state.

According to the Police Spokesperson, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Mohammed Gumel, had directed round-the-clock visibility patrols, following reports that some hoodlums are taking advantage of the demolition of buildings/structures by the Kano State Government to loot people’s properties.

The statements read: “In addition to the forty-nine (49) suspects arrested and charged to Magistrate Court 35 Normans Land Kano, for offences of Criminal Trespass, Mischief, Shop Breaking and Theft, another fifty-seven (57) suspects have been arrested with exhibits and charged to the same court with the same offences, bringing the total to one hundred and six (106).

“Victims are advised to come to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Bompai,

Kano State Police Command to provide testimony for the various crimes committed by the suspects, or through this phone number; 0803 824 9455

“The Commissioner of Police appreciates those that assisted with information that led to the arrest made and the looted properties recovered.

“He reiterates that policing is a collective responsibility and therefore calls on parents and community leaders to admonish their wards and youths to desist from looting people’s properties, as anyone arrested will face the full wrath of the law.

“In case of emergencies, Kano State Police Command can be contacted through these phone numbers; 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292929”.

Premium Times reports that the state government has been demolishing structures built on government properties it claimed were illegally sold by the immediate past administration of Abdullahi Ganduje