Police nab six for phone theft and thuggery in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police have arrested a suspected phone thief and five alleged thugs in different operations around Bauchi metropolis.

The command's Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, shared this news in a statement on Sunday.

Habib said the phone theft happened last Monday. A 25-year-old man from Unguwan Mangororin Sale Toro was watching a Maulud procession at Kofar Fada when he was attacked.

The victim reported that a 20-year-old man, Abdullahi Abubakar from Unguwan Ardo, snatched his mobile phone worth N50,000 and N30,000 cash. While the victim tried to catch Abubakar, the suspect passed the stolen phone to two others named Al-Amin, also known as Busy, and Babale Sule.

Sule then hit the victim on the forehead with a stick, injuring him, while Abubakar ran away. "The victim was treated and discharged at Under 5 Hospital, Jahun. Thanks to VCRU operatives, Abdullahi Abubakar was found and arrested. We are still looking for the other members of the gang and the stolen phone," the PPRO said.

In another event, Habib mentioned that police received a distress call around 9 pm on Wednesday. Thugs armed with cutlasses and other weapons were causing trouble in Mangororin Sale Toro, near the Shingen Abba area of Bauchi.

VCRU operatives and community leaders quickly responded and arrested three people. The suspects are 18-year-old Manauwir Isa, 17-year-old Ayuba Umar Hassan, and 18-year-old Umar Shuaibu, all living in Mangororin Sale Toro.

The PPRO also reported a fight involving thugs at Jaja, near the Jahun area of Bauchi, around 12:30 am. VCRU patrol teams responded and arrested 20-year-old Yahaya Abdullahi from Gwabba, and 17-year-old Abdulrazak Rabiu, who also lives in the same area. They were found with a sharp cutlass.

"In total, five suspects are in custody for these crimes. Investigations are ongoing, and we are working to catch their accomplices," Habib stated.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the operatives for their quick action and professionalism. Aliyu also emphasized the police's determination to eliminate crime in the state. He urged residents to share information with the police to help prevent crime.

The command assured everyone of its continued efforts to ensure safety and protect lives and property across the state.