By Our Correspondent

The Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Gombe State is set to receive a 24-hour electricity supply from the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant as part of efforts to boost industrial activities, attract investment and create employment opportunities in the state.

The development followed an interactive meeting organised by the Management Committee of the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in collaboration with Gombe Revenue Optimization Company Limited and the Gombe State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The meeting brought together stakeholders and investors operating at the industrial park to discuss modalities for providing a stable and reliable electricity supply to support their businesses.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the meeting, Chairman of the Management Committee, Mallam Bashir Nuhu, said the engagement was aimed at understanding the electricity requirements of companies operating at the park and developing a sustainable power supply arrangement.

He disclosed that the Gombe State Government, through Mabon Limited, was working towards supplying electricity generated from the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant to the industrial park.

According to him, the meeting also provided an opportunity to assess the power needs of various companies based on their daily production requirements.

Mallam Bashir Nuhu said Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya established the industrial park to promote industrialisation, stimulate business activities, create employment opportunities and increase revenue for the state.

Also speaking, the Plant Manager of Mabon Limited, Engineer Lawal Zubairu, said the Dadin Kowa Hydropower Plant has the capacity to generate up to 40 megawatts of electricity.

Engineer Zubairu explained that Mabon Limited was planning to provide 24-hour electricity to the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, noting that reliable power supply would enable companies operating at the park to increase production and operate more efficiently.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Gombe Revenue Optimization Company Limited, Abdulkadir Usman, said the state government had put necessary arrangements in place to support investors and create an enabling environment for businesses operating at the industrial park.

He noted that the initiative would help companies increase their production capacity, improve the quality of their products and contribute to job creation, with about 1,000 employment opportunities expected to be generated for youths in the state.

Some participants at the meeting commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for establishing the industrial park and expressed their readiness to contribute towards the growth of industries and the development of the state’s economy.

The proposed 24-hour power supply is expected to strengthen industrial activities at the park, reduce reliance on alternative sources of electricity and improve the overall business environment for investors.

By Our Correspondent

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against banditry and violent crime, joint security operations have successfully rescued three abducted victims and neutralized three suspected bandits in the Pindiga District of Akko Local Government Area.

The coordinated operation, conducted by combined security teams, also led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines, and one hundred and twenty (120) expended 7.62mm ammunition shells. Additionally, four operational motorcycles used by the criminals were seized during the operation.

A statement signed by DSP Buhari Abdullahi Roni confirmed the successful rescue and recovery, describing the operation as a major success in the ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities and protect citizens in the area.

The rescued victims have been safely recovered and are currently receiving necessary medical attention and support from the authorities.

Details of the operation are expected to be released soon as investigations continue to identify and apprehend other suspects involved in the criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and abduction.

The police have urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to security agencies to ensure sustained peace and security in the state.

By Our Correspondent

The Gombe State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its sustained fight against crime, with the arrest of a suspected bandit, rescue of a kidnapped victim, and the apprehension of several suspects involved in counterfeit currency and other criminal activities.

In a press release issued on Friday, January 23, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the Command said the successes were recorded during the week under review through intelligence-led operations and proactive policing.

Arrest of Suspected Bandit

Police operatives attached to the Pindiga Divisional Police Headquarters arrested a suspected bandit, Shehu Hussaini, a resident of Mansur Village in Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The arrest occurred on January 18, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m. during an aggressive stop-and-search patrol.

Items recovered from the suspect include thirteen live cartridges, a cutlass, a knife, and a red Honda motorcycle. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect was allegedly on his way to deliver the cartridges to a bandit commander operating within a forest area of Alkaleri Local Government Area. He is currently in custody while investigations continue to uncover other members of the criminal network.

Rescue of Kidnapped Victim

In another development, the Command successfully rescued a kidnapped victim, Honorable Hassan Reuben, a resident of Nahuta Village, Tula, in Kaltungo Local Government Area.

The victim was abducted on January 20, 2026, but was rescued unhurt the following day after a coordinated operation involving police operatives from Awak and Tula Divisions, vigilante groups, and local hunters. He was rescued at Tule Berbere, near Kunge Village in Awak, Kaltungo Local Government Area.

Three female suspects believed to be spouses or accomplices of the kidnappers were also arrested at the scene. The suspects are currently under investigation. The victim was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and has since reunited with his family.

Counterfeit Currency and Mercury Arrests

The Police Command also uncovered a counterfeit currency syndicate following an intelligence-led operation by officers attached to the Dukku Divisional Headquarters. Four suspects were arrested on January 15, 2026, in possession of three hundred and four counterfeit one-hundred United States dollar notes.

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime and identified one of them as the supplier of the fake currency. In a related operation the same day, two additional suspects were arrested with substances suspected to be mercury, allegedly used in the production of counterfeit currency. The suspects confessed to their involvement and are assisting investigators.

Housebreaking and Theft

Meanwhile, police operatives arrested a 39-year-old suspect in connection with criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, and theft in Bomala Quarters of Akko Local Government Area. The arrest followed credible intelligence received in the early hours of January 23, 2026.

The suspect was found in possession of a stolen Haojue Lucky motorcycle valued at ₦750,000. He confessed to the crime and implicated another suspect who is currently at large. Further investigations revealed his involvement in multiple phone theft cases within Gombe metropolis.

All suspects are currently in police custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Gombe, as investigations continue.

Commending the officers for their professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Ahmed Chuso, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to proactive policing to curb banditry, financial crimes, and other forms of criminality. He also urged residents of the state to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.