The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old man, Gambo Hassan, alias “Anahaka”, who is suspected of disguising himself as a commercial motorcycle rider to kidnap, rob and rape passengers in Bauchi metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday.
Habib said operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, arrested Hassan at about 8:45pm on September 11, 2026, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road.
“On 11th September, 2026, at about 2045hrs, operatives of ‘B’ Division GRA, Bauchi, on routine patrol arrested 53-year-old Gambo Hassan, alias ‘Anahaka,’ a male of Igbo Quarters, Bauchi,” he said.
According to the police, preliminary investigation showed that Hassan allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as Okada, rider during evening hours to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, ‘Okada’ rider during evening hours to target, kidnap, rob and at times rape unsuspecting passengers, particularly women,” Habib said.
The suspect was allegedly carrying a sharp knife when he was arrested. He was also riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G and wearing a black face mask and face cap.
“At the time of arrest along Adamu Jumba Road, he was found in possession of a sharp knife and was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with Reg. No. BAU 150G, while wearing a black face mask and a face cap,” the police spokesman added.
Police identify 35 alleged victims
Habib said Hassan allegedly confessed to the offences during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to some of his alleged victims.
“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. He further led detectives to identify fifteen women within Bauchi metropolis as victims of his criminal activities. The number of identified victims later rose to thirty-five women,” he said.
Following the development, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, where several items suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered.
The recovered items included 15 assorted mobile phones, comprising a Samsung Galaxy Fold, two iTel phones, two iPhones, four Infinix phones and two Tecno phones.
Police also recovered three power banks, six ladies’ wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers and three women’s hijabs.
The command said N425,435 in cash was also recovered from the residence, alongside Kenyan and Turkish currency notes.
Habib said the suspect and the recovered exhibits had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for further investigation and prosecution.
“In line with standard procedure, the suspect and all recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution,” he said.
Recovered exhibits. Photo: Bauchi State Police Command.
Police seek information from victims
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for what he described as their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would continue efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
Habib said Aliyu urged members of the public, particularly anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspect, to provide useful information to assist the investigation.
The command reiterated its commitment to tackling kidnapping, robbery and other criminal activities across Bauchi State.