The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a fake Army Major, Austin Anthony, 44, and Mansur Abubakar, 32, for terrorizing the state.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmad Musa disclosed this in a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i while parading the suspects on Thursday at Command Headquarters Sokoto noted that the suspects were apprehended following an investigation into the reported car theft.

Austin Anthony, who posed as a military personnel, was intercepted by the Police patrol team of the Bodinga Division while driving one of the stolen vehicles.

Upon investigation, Anthony confessed to the crime, leading to the recovery of two additional vehicles and the arrest of Mansur Abubakar.

The police also recovered several items from Anthony, including a complete set of Army Uniforms with the rank of Major, fabricated master keys, motor vehicle keys, an Army ID card, and other military paraphernalia.

The police are extending their investigation to apprehend five other gang members mentioned by Anthony, who are residing in different states across the country.

The suspects will be charged to court for prosecution once the investigation is completed.

The suspect, who was wanted for car theft and was under surveillance by the police command, was intercepted by the Bodinga Division police patrol team.

In an attempt to deceive the police, the suspect introduced himself as a military personnel.

However, during the investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime, and two additional stolen vehicles were recovered from him.

Furthermore, another suspect, Mansur Abubakar from the Gidan Dare Area in Sokoto, was arrested in connection with the case.

The suspect, identified as Austin Anthony, revealed that he had five other gang members scattered across different states in the country.

The police have launched an investigation to track down these gang members and apprehend them.

The investigation was extended and the following items were recovered in his possession including the complete set of Army uniforms with the rank of Major which he has been using to avert security attention.

7 Fabricated Master Keys and 5 bunches of Motor Vehicle keys,1 Army ID Card with the rank of Major.

Other are 3 sets of Motor Vehicle Plate Numbers, 1 Banner of the Nigerian Army, 2 Army Stamps and 3 sets of Shoulder badges of the Nigerian Army.

Prior to this, the said Suspect Austin Anthony was arrested by Policemen attached to CID in possession of Three Stolen vehicles and was arraigned in court on 28/8/2024 for the same offence.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP Ahmed Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Sokoto State Police Command to apprehend all the fleeing suspects.

He assures the public that the Police will continue in it’s efforts to dismantle criminal gangs, particularly those involved in violent crimes.

He stressed that the command will maintain its aggressive stance against criminals and also ensure the safety and security of the good people of the state.

The Commissioner of Police lauds the good people of Sokoto State, urging them to remain vigilant, and law-abiding and continue to support the police in maintaining peace, law and order in our beloved Sokoto State.

Several items were recovered from the suspect’s possession including a complete set of Army Uniform with the rank of Major, which he used to evade security attention.

Additionally, 7 fabricated master keys, 5 bunches of motor vehicle keys, and 1 Army ID Card with the rank of Major were found. Other items recovered include 3 sets of motor vehicle plate numbers, 1 banner of the Nigerian Army, 2 army stamps, and 3 sets of shoulder badges of the Nigerian Army.

It was discovered that the suspect, Austin Anthony, had previously been arrested by policemen attached to the CID for possessing three stolen vehicles.

He was arraigned in court on August 28, 2024, for the same offence and is currently on court bail.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Sokoto State Police Command to apprehend all fleeing suspects.

He assures the public that the police will continue to dismantle criminal gangs, particularly those involved in violent crimes, and maintain an aggressive stance against criminals while ensuring the safety and security of the state’s residents.