The police in Borno State have secured 250 convictions from 537 suspects arrested for sexual assault, kidnapping, burglary and other criminal activities in the state.

The arrests were made in the last three months in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), Jere, Monguno and Shani local councils of the state.

The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mohammed Yusuf Lawal, who disclosed this yesterday, said out of the number, 339 people were arrested for public nuisance, 39 each for burglary and theft, while 30 and nine were arrested for sexual assault respectively in the four council areas.

The CP added that 135 suspects were charged to court for the various offences committed during the period under review.

He attributed the arrests and convictions secured to the Borno State penal code law 2023 and other related matters, recently signed by Governor Babagana Zulum.

Lawal also directed the 27 Divisional Police Officers (DPOS) in the state to implement Safer School Outreach (SSOR) programme.

He said: “These are part of the efforts of the governor to restore peace for a sustainable growth and development of the state.

“The massive arrests and conviction of suspects are to serve as deterrents and warning to all criminally minded individuals.”

Citing a recent sexual abuse case, in which the suspect, Hamisu Dauda, allegedly abused Laraba Musa, 62, in Gasi District of Shani on September 13, Lawal noted that besides assaulting the old woman sexually, the suspect stole N42, 700 from her pocket.

“They don’t have a space to perpetrate criminal activities in the state; as nobody would escape the wrath of the law.

In Monguno, one Umar Goni Abubakar, 25, stabbed a 35-year-old Zarami Modu, for allegedly enticing his wife, Hajja Fantami at a community water point.

“We’re moving ahead in fighting criminal activities in both communities and schools in the state,” the police boss added.