Police arrest 636 kidnappers, robbery suspects in Bauchi in 2016

> Bauchi state commissioner of police Zaki Ahmed says 603 of those arrested have already been charged to court

> Ahmed said several weapons and ammunitions as well as vehicle and cash of about N2, 135, 000 were recovered from the suspects

Police says 603 of the arrested 636 kidnappers, robbery suspects have been charged to court

The police in Bauchi says it arrested around 636 armed robbers, kidnappers and

cattle rustlers between January and December 2016.

The Punch reports that the Bauchi state Police Command made the revelation on Thursday, December 22 while also revealing that a total of 163 hostages mainly women and children were also rescued within the same period.

The state commissioner of police Zaki Ahmed disclosed at a media briefing in state the capital Bauchi said that several arms, ammunitions, domestic animals and a host of other exhibits were also recovered within the period.

Arms and ammunitions that were recovered from the suspects included six AK 47 rifles, one AK 49 rifle, 15 fabricated guns, 11 locally made pistols, toy guns and cutlasses. Also seized were 347 rounds of ammunition of 7.62mm, 22 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, six rounds of 0.99mm live ammunitions and 32 live cartridges.

Nine vehicles, 43 motorcycles and N2, 135, 000 cash were also recovered.

Around 603 of the suspects arrested had been charged to court for prosecution, Ahmed said.

The Command, through its avowed commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property within the state, has intensified a 24-hour patrol and raids of black spots and flash points, with a view to effectively check crime in the state. This has yielded several successes.

The Command rescued over 163 hostages including women and children, arrested over 636 suspects comprising 167 suspected kidnappers and 204 robbery suspects. Other suspects arrested include cattle rustlers and suspected political thugs.

Meanwhile, 603 suspects were charged to court, 10 suspects cleared while 23 others are under investigation.

Meanwhile, over 2000 oil pipeline vandals have been arrested in Rivers state by the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

More than 36 of them have been convicted while several others have already been charged to court.