Police arrest ex-convict, six ‘armed robbers’ in Bauchi

The Bauchi police command says its operatives have arrested seven suspected armed robbers in the state.

A statement on Tuesday by Ahmed Wakil, Bauchi state police spokesperson, said six of the suspects were arrested for alleged armed robbery, conspiracy, and abetting criminal activities.

Wakil said that the arrests were made by the officers from Yelwa divisional police headquarters on Sunday.

“On November 17, 2024, acting on credible intelligence, Officers from the Yelwa Divisional Police Headquarters led by the DPO, successfully apprehended Six individuals suspected of involvement in criminal conspiracy, armed robbery, aiding and abetting criminal activities,” he said.

“The arrested individuals are: Musa Umar, aged 17, Ibrahim Mohammed, aged 17, Bilal Musa, aged 17, Idriss Jibrin, aged 17 and Maryam Salisu, aged 40.

“During investigation, the following stolen items were recovered from the suspects: Two laptops, Four mobile phones and three chargers, Two flashlights, Three bottles of palm oil, One headphone set, One power bank and One MP3 player.”

In another development, the command said Adamu Mohammed, a 22-year-old security guard, was arrested for allegedly stealing an armoured cable from his workplace.

Wakil added that the suspect will charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Speaking further, the police spokesperson detailed how Jaafar Lawan, an ex-convict, was re-arrested for robbery after a previous conviction for attacking a motorcyclist in July 2023.

“The suspect was previously arrested for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery on 27/07/2023 when he disguised himself as a passenger and boarded an Okada (motorcycle taxi) driven by one Kabiru Muhammadu, a 30-year-old from the Magaji Quarters area of Bauchi, at the Central market heading towards the old Airport area,” he recounted.

“Upon reaching the Wikki Oil axis, Jaafar and an accomplice, Mustapha Adam, brought out a trailer-wheel spanner and struck the rider on the head, causing a serious injury and rendering him unconscious. The suspects were subsequently charged and convicted in court.

“However, following a complaint lodged on 17/11/2024, detectives from the Dutsen Tanshi Divisional Police Headquarters swiftly initiated an investigation, revealing that the suspect had committed another crime.

“According to the victim, the suspect stopped him and requested a ride to the Gidan Kaji area at around 11:00am but while en route to the location, the suspect asked the victim to pull over by the roadside.

“The victim then lost consciousness, allegedly due to a suspected powder applied to him and he later regained consciousness in a hospital three days later.

“The investigation remains active, and the suspect will be charged to court upon its completion.”