The Yobe State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the alleged theft of agricultural equipment from farms in Bursari Local Government Area.
The operation led to the recovery of two water pump generators, discharge and suction hoses, two gas cylinders and 10 solar panels suspected to have been stolen.
Police Public Relations Officer ASP Yusuf Adamu Aliyu announced the arrests in a statement issued on Friday in Damaturu.
Suspect Arrested After Farm Theft Report
According to the police, the Garin Alkali Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call on October 21, 2026, reporting that Musa Mohammed, 40, from Garin Alkali town, had been apprehended by individuals on a farm near Tarabutu Village over alleged theft of farm equipment.
Detectives were immediately dispatched to the location and took Mohammed into custody for investigation.
The alleged theft involved equipment from farms in the Duhuwu Nima area of Bursari Local Government Area.
Police Identify Two Other Suspects in Alleged Conspiracy
The police said preliminary interrogation indicated that Mohammed allegedly conspired with two other men, Mohammed Baki of Gashua and Haruna Wakil Sano, popularly known as Kogi, to steal agricultural equipment from farms in the area.
Investigators further alleged that the stolen items were sold to Adamu Abubakar, who is from Bade Local Government Area.
Acting on the information obtained during questioning, detectives traced and arrested Abubakar at his residence.
Search Leads to Recovery of Solar Panels and Water Pumps
During a search of Abubakar’s residence, police recovered items believed to have been stolen from the farms.
The recovered property included two water pump generators, discharge and suction hoses, two gas cylinders and 10 solar panels.
The command said the items were suspected to be stolen property and were recovered as part of the ongoing investigation into the alleged theft and receipt of the equipment.
Suspect Arrested During Follow-Up Operation
Haruna Wakil Sano, also known as Kogi, was initially at large but was arrested during a follow-up police operation on October 22.
According to the police statement, Sano also confessed to his alleged involvement in the crime.
Police said efforts were continuing to apprehend the remaining suspect, while investigations into the case remained ongoing.
Yobe Police Commissioner Commends Officers
The Commissioner of Police in Yobe State, CP Usman Kanfani Jibrin, commended the officers involved in the operation for arresting the suspects and recovering the suspected stolen property.
He urged farmers and other residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police formation.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, warning against the theft of agricultural equipment, which it said threatens farmers’ livelihoods and agricultural productivity.
Police also appealed to members of the public to provide timely and credible information to help prevent and detect crime.
Borno Police Arrest Six Suspects Over Alleged N5.65 Million Withdrawal
In a separate incident, the Borno State Police Command arrested six suspects over the alleged theft of a mobile phone and the unlawful withdrawal of N5.65 million from its owner’s bank account.
The suspects were arrested following a complaint by a resident of Damboa Road in Maiduguri identified as Abba K.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, said the complainant reported that his Infinix Smart 8 phone went missing from his pocket after he alighted from a commercial tricycle on October 13, 2026.
