Posted by By ABU ONYELEBOCHO, Damaturu on
A fake pastor who duped the Emir of Fune in Yobe State five years ago has been arrested by the police after making a second attempt this month to swindle the royal father.
A fake pastor who duped the Emir of Fune in Yobe State five years ago has been arrested by the police after making a second attempt this month to swindle the royal father. The man, Ibrahim Abdullahi Ngurore, who claimed to be the pastor in charge of the Deeper Life Church in Ngelzorma, Fune local government area of Yobe, had in year 2000 duped the Emir, Mai Idrissa Ibn Usman of the sum of N60,000.
He was, however, caught earlier this month when he returned to the palace through the secretary to the emirate, under the pretence of wanting to convert to Islam.
The emirate secretary recognized him as the dupe, and quickly alerted the police who swooped on him.
The PPRO informed Daily Sun that Ngurore's description and names fitted the imposter who had duped the emir and many other persons as contained in the police file.
Those also arrested by the state police command included Mohammed Bello of Zabarmari from Jere local government area of Borno State who belonged to a gang believed to be terrorising vehicles plying Potiskum - Damaturu and Gombe - Potiskum highways, and Ado Mohammed who had confessed to have attacked one Alhaji Audu of Dufana in Borno Kiji and robbed one Saliliu Mohammed at the same Dufana of his bicycle.
Two other suspects, Buba Ali Baji and Mamman Isa had both masked their faces to dispossess a cattle rearer, one Haruna Ngaru of Jakusko LGA of his 111 goats and sheep.
The statement indicated that Buba Ali Baji, according to a record in the anti-robbery section, had earlier been arrested for a similar offence on September 20, 2004 where he pleaded guilty and was then sentenced to 8 months jail term.
Other robbery suspects who could not escape the swiftness of the police this time were Idi Umaru Mohammed alias "Tuga" of Albasare, Garin Baushe of Ngelzarma and Yakubu Isah alias "Ruwa" of Ngel Jenewa in Mashio town. However one Musa Mohammed, said to be at large along with his gang injured a police on escort duty and carted away police rifle no. 1694420 with 17 rounds of ammunition.
During a press briefing, shortly before the criminals were paraded before newsmen at the police headquarters in Damaturu, the Commissioner of Police for the State Command, Mr. Charles A. Dawodu vowed to give armed robbers and other criminals in the state sleepless nights.
Mr. Dawodu said the command, within six weeks of his assumption of office as the Commissioner of Police, has cracked down on 12 armed robbers and bandits that specialized in operating on highways, pointing out that some other criminals have renounced banditry leading to a more peaceful atmosphere "due to robust, pro-active anti-crime measures designed to curb the activities of the men of the underworld."
He, however, noted that this was being achieved through regular vehicular and foot patrols of the officers and men of his command, together with the state government's Quick Reaction Strike Force.
Mr. Dawodu also noted that the command was able to achieve this feat in the face of the unfortunate situation of lack of barracks and accommodation for officers and men of the command, insufficient patrol vehicles to cover the difficult terrain of the over 47,000 sq km land mass and insufficient funds for fuelling and to refurbish broken down vehicles.
He appealed for the cooperation of religious and traditional leaders as well as other citizens to join in the fight against violent crimes, while harping on the dire need for the Yobe State Government to help erect shelters along the highways and especially at black spots.
He pointed out that armed robbers have been capitalising on the absence of policemen on roads during heavy rain to rob.