Even in the face of Boko Haram challenges, police in Kano are battling to curtail activities of gun men and criminals as traders in Kano markets cry out for security presence.
In less than one week, armed gun men have attacked three major markets in the ancient commercial city wounding many and killing about two.
Traders at Kantin Kwari, Dawanu and Kofar Ruwa markets have cried out for deployment of security agents to guard the markets in the wake of brutal attacks by gun men suspected to be armed robbers on motor bikes.
Pointblanknews.com reports that on Monday, over three people were wounded while one was feared dead when gun men on motor bikes attacked the Kofar Ruwa Rod Market shooting at people.
“They did not go away with any pin. They entered into my store and shot at my secretary. Other shops were also attacked. People ran helter-skelter and many sustained several injuries, bullet wounds and bruises resulting from the stampede.
“The Kafar Ruwa Rod Market is dominated by the Igbo traders; and there is fear that they were targeted. I can confirm to you that over five people are battling to survive severe bullet wounds at the hospital as I am talking to you now. We need security at the market. People are now afraid to open their shops because of the incident,” a trader whose shop was attacked told Pointblainknews.com.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris told newsmen on Tuesday that three bankers were among employees of Stanbic IBTC Bank have been arrested over their alleged involvement in defrauding the bank of N27.8 million.
The suspects’ names were given as Mark Ojobi Onum, Mrs Mauren Obi and Idris Usman who conspired with one Abdulkadir Shehu and Samuel Matthew, both at large the sum of N16 million and N11.8 million respectively without authorization.
On July 25, 2012, the General Manager of the bank during a routine check suddenly discovered that the sum of N27.8 million was missing from the custody of the two suspects.
Moments after the arrest and interrogation of the two suspects by the police, they confessed to committing the offence, while efforts have been intensified for the arrest of the fleeing suspects and recovery of the stolen money.
He also said one Ibrahim Musa 20 of Gyadi-Gyadi quarters stabbed one Yakubu Mohammed 21 over a N50.
The stabbing incident followed a brawl over a N50 debt when Musa stabbed Ahmed on the shoulder with a screw driver resulting in his death, while receiving treatment at the Mutratala Mohammed Specialist Hospital. He confessed to the offence and has been charged to court.
Also, the police arrested one Emmanuel Ibietan, 25, Damian Tochukwu 23, Endurance Ikede 24, and Jibrin Wazrai 40, all employees of a new generation bank in the state for defrauding two customers, who lodged N1 million and N376, 000,00 respectively, which the bank management discovered was not credited in their respective accounts.
The Commissioner of Police also disclosed that the Command impounded 963 high caliber Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), two suicide prime car bombs between January and August, 2012, adding that the explosives were successfully detonated, without causing any injury or damage.
Ibrahim, who also deplored the high rate of rape cases in the state, Disclosed that Yusuf Isa, 39 and Al-Hassan Uba, 35 abducted a 10-year-old girl, lured her to a nearby bush and raped her one after the other. He said one Lurwanu Panda 45 of Sharada quarters; Kano lured a 13-year-old girl, who was hawking lettuce used for salad lured her into a house and raped her.
According to the Commissioner, the Command on August 1, 2012 arrested one Abubakar Garba for being in possession of one brownie pistol, prohibited firearms and 10 rounds of live ammunition.
Upon investigation, one Matthew Oshogbemu, Dominic Orji and Umaru Nassarawa were arrested for being in possession in two pistols, 11 pump action rifles, one air pistol, nine Double barrel rifles, 176 cartridges and expired fire arm licenses were recovered.
Ibrahim, who revealed that the police recovered over 13 stolen vehicles, said that four suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery, pointing out that one AK 47 rifle, with 45 rounds of live ammunition and two magazines were recovered in a bush in Rijiyar Zaki quarters following a tip off from concerned citizens.