Will Zamfara Police Boss Be Ruthless With Bandits Like He Was With Harmless Civilians In Kano?

Kolo Yusuf, a former commander of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), on Monday resumed office as the new Zamfara State Commisisoner of Police, assuring the residents he would protect their lives and properties. But Kolo’s uniform is stained with the innocent blood of victims he has severely tortured while heading the rogue team in Kano.

One of such ugly cases is the illegal detention and killing of Hassan Abdullahi, a 24-year-old Kano indigene accused of robbery, a claim that has not been verified up to now.

According to WikkiTimes’findings, what to led to Hassan’s death was a family matter which did not relate with roberry case filed by the police.

The murder

The cousin sister to the deceased, Sahadatu Garba, had on a day Sallah in Octobr 2013 invited some people to celebrate the festive with them at the residence of the deceased’s father, Mallam Alfa Abdullahi. The celebration continued with eulogies of Prophet Muhammad until around 7 pm (toward the Magrib prayer) when the decased’s father asked them to stop.

This did not sit well with the joyful youth chanting the praises, they hurled abusive against the deseased’s father. In defence of their father, Hassan and his brother, Awalu Abdullahi clashed with the invited guests.

READ: Exclusive: ‘Over 100 Firearms Missing In Bauchi Police Command, But CP Wants Internal Investigation After Arresting Suspected Officers’

The following, Sahadatu appeared with two police officers to arrest Hassan and Awalu. That was how they were taken from one facility to the other until they landed in SARS custody where they were brutalised.

Kolo was said to have smashed the deaceased’s head on the wall. Unfortyunately, he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. He would died seven days later after he was tortured by Kolo. Awalu also sustained fracture on his leg.

However, the court condemned Kolo’s action alongside two of his team members. They were asked to compensate the family with N10 million naira, but they failed to abide by the court’s ruling. Stunnigly, Kolo and his team evaded justice. Not only that, the Nigeria Police Force rewarded him with promotions — He headed the SARS team in Kano and Abuja before getting promoted to the position of Deputy Commander of the IGP Special Tactical Squad (STS) in Abuja. Now he is the police commissioner of Zamfara State, a troubled terrain where his expertise would be more needed.

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Will he be ruthless with terrors enjoying the state government’s mercy?

Assuming office as the 32nd Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State, the Nupe-born Kolo vowed to protect the lives and property of the citizens who suffer bandits’ attacks unabated. How? Kolo could explain better, perhaps by defying the government’s recent peace pact with the terrorists.

The Zamfara State government seemed to be overwhelmed with spate of banditry in the state. A few months ago, the government advised its citizens to pick arms against the marauders, but they keep wreaking havoc brazingly. In what seems like succumbing to the terroruists’s demands, the government ate its words, announcing certain conditions to restore normalcy as demanded by the bandits.

READ: After 3 Weeks In Captivity, Zamfara Police Rescues Two Minor Girls

Hasan Muhammad Nasiha, the state’s deputy governor during a visit to Anka, Bukuyum, and Gummi Emirate Councils earlier this month told locals that the government had dialogues with the various bandit groups and as such, it decided to disarm vigilantes and also reunite IDPs to their communities.But the IDPs disagreed fearing the bandits could breach the agreement.

Further, the government also coopted Turji Bello, a bandits Kigpin, granted him amnesty and urged to lay off his arms while he counter his colleagues still waging war against the state.

Who is Kolo?

In a press statement obtained by WikkiTimes yesterday, Mohammed Shehu, the Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) described the new commissioner of police as a successful cop with many recognitions.

His background

The statement read: “The new Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Police Command, CP Kolo Yusuf, was born in 1968 in Majiko village of Edati Local Government Area of Niger State. He attended Katambi/Bologi Primary School from 1974 to 1979. Between 1979 to 1985, he was selected by the Niger State Government for a scholarship where he successfully completed his Secondary School Education at the Government Technical College, Lagos State. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from University of Abuja, and is a member of the respected Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). He also holds a Masters Degree in Crime Management and Prevention from Bayero University Kano, with a Doctorate in International Relations.

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“CP Kolo Yusuf was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1988 and has served in various operational capacities including as Officer in Charge, Anti-Robbery Squad in Anambara, Kano, Kogi States and FCT among others. He was also the Commander, IGP Crack Squad Zone 1 Kano, Coordinator, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (F-SARS); and Commander Technical Intelligence Unit and Special Tactical Squad (TIU-STS) under the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).

“CP Kolo Yusuf has attended several courses within and outside Nigeria, such as Advanced Detective course at the Police Staff College, Jos in Plateau State and in China, Turkey and Colombia, on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism, management and prevention of violent crimes, detailing and management of crime scenes, modern threat and human intelligence development by the metropolitan school of Business and management among others.”

His track record

The statement continued: “As a seasoned crime fighter, CP kolo Yusuf had led several operations that led to the unprecedented arrest/neutralize of many Bandits/Boko Haram terrorists, rescue of kidnapped victims and recoveries of arms and ammunition. Example of such records included, the arrest of terrorists who attacked the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) , the terrorists who kidnapped students of Greenfield University and Bathel secondary school, Kaduna state respectively. CP kolo Yusuf also led an operation that successfully rescued Mikel Obi’s father and arrested the suspects including the syndicate leader, a woman popularly known as Hauwa. He also led the rescue of 82 years old mother of chairman of Pharmaceutical giant JUHEL and chairman Tonimas petroleum group. All the kidnappers in these high profile cases were rounded up and arrested.

READ: After WikkiTimes’ Fact-check, Niger Police Debunks Arresting Foreigner Abetting Banditry

“CP kolo Yusuf was conferred with several awards and commendations from reputable Nigerian communities, Government Agencies and organisations. These include , the prestigious traditional title of Agu na eche Mba one of Onitsha, in Anambara State. He was also honored by the Nigerian Telecommunications LTD for his gallantry and bravery in confronting terrorists who attempted to vandalize and shut down communications in Abuja.

“The New Commissioner of Police while reassuring of his unalloyed commitment to the protection of lives and property, seeks for support and collaboration from members of the public, while on the other hand, warns all criminal elements to renounce criminal activities and repent or face dare consequences.”

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