The Yobe State Police Command has raised an urgent security alert on the disguised activities of suspected criminals in Damaturu and other communities in the state.
 
According to the Command, the suspects disguise as petty traders and Internet service providers, moving with wheel barrows from one community to another.
 
The Spokesperson for the Command, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dungus Abdulkarim, yesterday, in Damaturu, said: “The police command wishes to urgently sensitise members of the public on the need to always remain vigilant and security conscious, following intelligence reports indicating that some criminal elements may attempt to disguise themselves as petty traders and Internet service providers moving from community to community in the state.
 
“These suspected individuals may present themselves under the pretence of selling perfumes commonly known as “Mai Tolare,” nail cutters, pushing hand trucks, or even begging while moving from ward to ward, going to houses, offices, markets, and other public places.”

Abdulkarim warned that such disguised activities may be used as a cover to survey environments and identify vulnerable locations for attacks and household burglaries in the targeted communities.

The Command, therefore, urged residents in the affected communities to be cautious of unfamiliar persons loitering around residential areas, places of worship, markets, public institutions, social gatherings, and other crowded places in any part of the state.
 
However, reports also suggest that some of these individuals may use tricycles as means of transportation and often appear neat and decently dressed to avoid suspicion by the public
 
Abdulkarim also urged the public not to panic but to be at alert and promptly report any suspicious persons, unusual movements or activities within their neighbourhoods to the nearest police station or other security agencies.
 
He said community leaders, market associations, transport unions, and religious leaders are also encouraged to sensitise their members and cooperate with the security agencies, saying that providing timely and credible information will assist in preventing potential security threats.
 
The Police Commissioner, Emmanuel Ado, reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and urged everyone to support the security agencies in maintaining peace and security in the state.