Yobe Commissioner of Police Usman Kanfani-Jibrin blamed rising youth crime partly on parental neglect, saying many children are left on the streets and become vulnerable to criminal activities.
Police officers inspect arrested suspects as recovered items are displayed during a briefing in Yobe State.
Police authorities in Yobe State say they recorded 407 criminal cases involving murder, rape, kidnapping, armed robbery and other offences between January and June 2026.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Usman Kanfani-Jibrin, disclosed this while briefing journalists during the command’s mid-year security review and the parade of suspects arrested for various offences.
According to the police commissioner, the cases recorded during the six months comprised 31 murder cases, 35 rape cases, eight kidnapping cases, 11 armed robbery cases and 322 other offences.
“From January 2026 to June 2026, the command recorded a total of 407 criminal cases, comprising 31 murder cases, 35 rape cases, eight kidnapping cases, 11 armed robbery cases and 322 other offences.
“Through diligent investigation and prosecution, 152 cases secured convictions, 42 cases resulted in acquittals, 127 cases are currently before the courts, 69 cases remain pending, while 17 case files are awaiting legal advice,” he said.
Kanfani-Jibrin also highlighted the command’s major operational achievements during the period, including raids on criminal hideouts in Jakusko Local Government Area, the arrest of suspected drug traffickers and the seizure of illicit drugs in Potiskum Local Government Area, the dismantling of a fraud syndicate, the protection of critical infrastructure, and interventions aimed at safeguarding children and other vulnerable persons.
Commissioner of Police in the State, Usman Kanfani-Jibrin
He added that the command also recorded successes in investigating cases of culpable homicide and other serious offences.
According to him, the achievements reflect the command’s commitment to professionalism, intelligence-led policing, prompt response to criminal activities and effective collaboration with communities and other security agencies.
Responding to questions from journalists, the commissioner attributed the rising involvement of young people in crime partly to parental neglect, saying some parents give birth to children they are unable to adequately cater for, leaving them to roam the streets and become vulnerable to criminal activities.
He also expressed concern over the increasing abuse of illicit drugs, describing it as a major driver of criminality across the state.
