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.

By Our Correspondent

The Nigeria Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has paid a familiarisation visit to the Gombe State Government, during which it highlighted the core mandates of the Commission and sought strategic collaboration with the state to enhance development in host communities.

Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said the engagement was part of an ongoing familiarisation tour of newly admitted member states into the Commission, following their inclusion in June 2023.

He disclosed that the new member states are Gombe, Taraba, Kaduna, and Nasarawa.

According to him, the primary mandate of the Commission is to address and reverse ecological degradation caused by the activities of hydroelectric dams, while also promoting sustainable socio-economic development in power-producing areas.

Yelwa emphasized that communities hosting hydroelectric facilities should not continue to bear environmental and social burdens while the rest of the country benefits from electricity generated in their areas.

He noted that Gombe State gained membership of N-HYPPADEC due to the presence of the Dadinkowa Dam, a power-producing facility within the state.

The Managing Director revealed that the Commission has already carried out several interventions in Gombe State, including the construction of classroom blocks, payment of NECO registration fees for students, provision of an ultra-modern flying board, and the distribution of life jackets to riverine communities.

He further assured that N-HYPPADEC would soon provide power tillers and a 35-seater water bus to improve agricultural productivity and ease water transportation in the Yamaltu District.

In his response, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, PhD, expressed appreciation for the Commission’s interventions and pledged the state government’s maximum cooperation to ensure the success of N-HYPPADEC’s programmes.

Yelwa also announced plans to establish two area offices in Gombe State — one in Yamaltu, to serve Yamaltu-Deba and Kwami Local Government Areas, and another in Nafada, to cover Nafada, Funakaye, and Dukku Local Government Areas.

He added that the Commission would continue to prioritize interventions in riverine communities such as Kupto, Nafada, and Yamaltu.

During the visit, the N-HYPPADEC delegation paid courtesy visits to traditional rulers, including the Emir of Nafada, the Emir of Yamaltu, and the District Head of Kupto. The traditional leaders commended the Commission’s efforts, pledged their support, and presented key community needs for consideration.

The team also inspected the Dadinkowa Power Generation Plant, where the Managing Director urged the plant’s management to strengthen its corporate social responsibility to host communities in line with sustainable development goals.

By Our Correspondent

The Lake Chad Peace & Development Initiative (LCPD), with the support of ActionAid Nigeria, has commissioned a new Library and Digital Literacy Center in Bayamari community, Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The facility, funded under ActionAid’s Local Rights Programme (LRP), aims to promote literacy, digital inclusion, and youth development in the region.

The commissioning ceremony witnessed the attendance of key stakeholders including the Chairman of Bursari LGA, the Education Secretary, traditional leaders, members of the Community Response Action Team, community representatives, and students.

In their separate remarks, community leaders commended LCPD and ActionAid Nigeria for their continued investment in education and digital empowerment, noting that the project would open new opportunities for learning and capacity building, especially for children and youth.

After a brief ceremony, guests were taken on an inspection tour of the facility, which features a library stocked with books and a digital literacy center equipped with computers and internet access. The center is expected to serve as a safe space for students and residents to enhance their reading culture, digital skills, and lifelong learning.

Speaking at the event, LCPD’s Programs Manager reiterated the organization’s commitment to improving access to education and learning in underserved communities, while thanking ActionAid Nigeria for its support and collaboration.

The Bayamari Library and Digital Literacy Center is expected to become a hub for educational growth, digital awareness, and community development in the area.