Reactions trail arrest of policemen over armed robbery
Residents of Kaduna metropolis recently woke up to news making the rounds on social media on the alleged arrest of three policemen in connection with armed robbery.
Pictures of the suspects, including three policemen who names were given simply as Aliyu, Sani, Belli and one civilian went viral on social media as people where dumbfounded over the allegation.
Our correspondent observed that while some residents had reservations on the authenticity of the arrest, other already gave judgement and “convicted” the policemen of committing the crime.
This, our correspondent gathered, was not unconnected to the atrocities allegedly being committed by personnel of the police.
However, residents who spoke to our correspondent expressed shock over the arrest, because according to them, they never suspected one of the policemen alleged to have a shop to be a criminal.
Majority of them who pleaded for anonymity said they knew him [the shop owner] to be a police man.
“We knew him to be a policeman and the owner of the shop. In fact, he sells most of his provision at cheaper rates that was why people always patronise him.
“When we heard he was arrest in connection with armed robbery, we started thinking that maybe that is why his goods were very cheap because he gets the proceeds from dubious means,” a resident said.
Another resident who did not want to be mentioned said, “Women always patronized his shop to buy provision because he sells at cheaper rates.”
A member of police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who pleaded for anonymity confirmed the report about the arrest of three policemen saying, “It is true that three of our men were arrested for conniving with criminals.
“It is really disturbing for policemen to get involve iný such act. A good police man will never steal from the people or get involve in kidnapping, but some people always want to get quick money which is the problem. Our salary is nothing to write home about but our people need ýto learn to be contented with what they have because they have taken an oath to protect lives and property,” he said.
It ýwas gathered that the shops belonging to the suspect whose name was given as Sani were closed down as three of the sales boys were arrested by the police at Kwanan Lami in Tudun Wada within Kaduna metropolis.
But, it was further gathered that the boys were later released few days after.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna Command, ASP Mukhtar Hussein Aliyu, did not respond to calls or text messages and was not on seat when our correspondent went to the command headquarters at the time of filling the report.
Also, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, when contacted on phone said he was on casual leave and cannot respond to official matters.