The Yobe State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four individuals linked to different criminal activities across the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed that one of the suspects is a 19-year-old serial rapist, Dahiru Ali.

According to the police, Ali, who worked as a domestic help, was arrested by operatives of the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters for allegedly defiling a three-year-old girl in the Mutawassada area of Potiskum. Investigations further uncovered that he had earlier committed a similar offence against another three-year-old in the same neighborhood.

“The suspect lured the children with sweets and milk into secluded areas, where he molested them. He has since confessed to the crimes, and investigations are ongoing,” the statement read.

In another operation, police operatives from A Division, Damaturu, responded to a distress call from a farmer, leading to the arrest of 24-year-old Ibrahim Alhaji Ahmadu of Dusuwa Village, Kalallawa. The suspect allegedly trespassed on the farmer’s land and threatened him with a firearm.

“A shotgun with live ammunition was recovered from the suspect during a coordinated sting operation,” the police confirmed.

Additionally, the Command disclosed that two other suspects were in custody for attacking police officers in Nguru while they were on duty. The incident was described as an assault on constituted authority.

Yobe State Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, strongly condemned the attack on police operatives, the illegal possession of firearms, and the disturbing cases of child defilement. He emphasized the Command’s zero-tolerance approach to criminality and warned offenders to desist or face decisive consequences.

The Commissioner also urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children to shield them from predators.