The Bauchi State Police Command has dismantled an armed robbery syndicate, arresting two suspects and recovering firearms along with stolen items.
CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the command’s spokesperson, made this announcement in a statement on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.
According to the statement, the suspects admitted to obtaining firearms from an unidentified source in the Alkaleri Local Government Area and confessed to carrying out robberies in the Gwallaga and Behind NIDB areas of Bauchi. They also disclosed their involvement in stealing motorcycles and household items, including pots, which they sold at the Muda-Lawal Market.
The statement detailed, “On January 8, 2025, the Command received intelligence indicating that two individuals, Abubakar Yakubu and Almustapha Hassan, were suspected of possessing locally-made firearms.”
Acting on the tip, the Command, in partnership with the Peace and Security Committee, located the suspects’ residence, arrested them, and conducted a search. During the operation, two locally-fabricated pistols were discovered hidden in the ceiling.
During questioning, the suspects confessed to acquiring the weapons from an unknown supplier in Alkaleri Local Government Area. They also admitted to planning and executing several robberies, primarily targeting the Gwallaga and Behind NIDB neighborhoods in Bauchi.
The suspects further revealed that their loot included motorcycles and household items like pots, which they sold at Muda-Lawal Market. The pots were reportedly dismantled and packaged in kilograms for sale, while stolen motorcycles were stripped down and sold as parts to various buyers, often referred to as “Yan Bola Jari.”
Additionally, the suspects admitted to purchasing motorcycles using the proceeds from their criminal activities.
Items recovered from the suspects include two fabricated pistols, two motorcycles, a machete, two ATM cards, and a ring.
The police continue to encourage citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to aid in the fight against crime.
