Kebbi: Police bust ‘one-chance’ robbery syndicate, arrest five suspects
Nigerian Police Arrest Five Suspected of Highway Robbery Syndicate
The Nigeria Police Force has apprehended five individuals suspected of involvement in a robbery and abduction syndicate known for conducting “one-chance” attacks along major highways in Kebbi State.
The arrests were announced Thursday in a statement by Police Public Relations Officer SP Bashir Usman. The suspects include Abubakar Muhammad from Bancho village in Tambuwal, as well as Shehu Ango, Shamsu Daudu, Shuaibu Umar, and Aisha Usman. They were taken into custody during coordinated security operations across several Local Government Areas, including Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Jega, Maiyama, and Aliero.
According to authorities, the group posed as commercial vehicle operators to attract unsuspecting passengers, subsequently robbing them at knifepoint and abandoning them in remote areas. Investigations have linked the suspects to numerous armed robberies and abductions along the state’s highways.
In one particular case, the gang allegedly withdrew over N1 million from a victim’s bank account while demanding a ransom from the victim’s family prior to release. Another incident involved an attack on a female passenger, identified as Shamsiyya Samaila, on April 30, 2026, along the Tashar Hauwa section of the Jega–Kalgo Road. The suspects reportedly stole her Infinix Android phone, power bank, charger, and an Opay ATM card, which was used to withdraw N9,000.
The police confirmed ongoing investigations into the syndicate’s activities and are actively seeking additional suspects still at large.
The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police urged commuters to avoid boarding unregistered or suspicious vehicles and to utilize designated motor parks for their safety. He reaffirmed the commitment of law enforcement to eliminate criminal activities in the region and encouraged the public to provide timely information to security agencies.
