Police arrest high-profile bandits, kill four, and rescue six victims in Bauchi

In an ongoing effort to stem the tide of kidnapping, banditry and other heinous crime in the state, the Bauchi State Police Command has recorded unprecedented successes in different daring operations across the state. 

Spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil. in a statement on Saturday, January 14, 2023, said police operatives arrested some high-profile kidnappers, bandits, terrorizing Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state, neutralised four others, and rescued six abducted victims.

According to the PPRO, the command recovered four, AK47 rifles, one fabricated SMG rifle, one locally-made revolver pistol, one locally-made Beretta pistol, five empty magazines, 22 rounds of 7×62.51mm NATO ammunition, four rounds of 7×62.39mm ammunition and three Honda Bajaj motorcycles.

“Sequel to the operations that was conducted on the 09th of January, 2023 acted on reliable intelligence that at about 2300hrs, a group of armed men attacked Dan Village via Duguri District of Alkaleri LGA. During the siege, the gunmen stormed the residence of Saleh Umar (aka Saleh Burga) m aged 70yrs of the same village, and murdered him,” the statement read. 

“The victim was shot multiple times by the armed men. Upon receiving this information, Police operatives were drafted and immediately arrived at the scene, but the hoodlums took to their heels on sighting the police team.

“The victim was rushed to Gar Primary Health care center Bauch but was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor.

“Nevertheless, efforts had been intensified in a bid to trail and apprehend the perpetrators to face the wrath of the law.

“Consequently, on the 10th December 2023 Police Operatives in conjunction with locals ambushed and neutralized two of the armed kidnappers, while the remaining suspects were subdued by the superior firepower from the operatives, forced them to scamper in disarray into the nearest bushes with possible bullet wounds.

Furthermore, one (1) Ak47 rifle was recovered alongside three (3) magazines and four (4) 7.62×39mm live ammunition.

Similarly, on the 10th January 2023 at about 1630hrs, operatives attached to the command’s anti-kidnapping unit Based in Alkaleri, while on routine patrol in collaboration with local hunters near Dajin Madam and Yankari forest encountered a suspicious hut (Bukka) believed to be kidnapper’s hideout located at an isolated Area, the operatives swiftly cordoned the area and successfully arrested three (3) suspects, namely; Idris Hashimu m aged 26yrs of Kampanin Zira Plateau State, Bello Lawan m AKA Zakiru m aged 20yrs of Daban Kwaro via Mansur ward Alkaleri LGA and Ibrahim Wali m aged 20yrs of Gobirawa ward via Gwana district Alkaleri LGA.

“Consequently, a search was conducted at the suspicious huts (Bukka) where Twenty-two (22) rounds of 7×62.51mm NATO ammunition.

“During interrogation, all three arrested suspects confessed to having partaken in several kidnapping activities around the Alkaleri axis. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing, and all efforts have been intensified to arrest their co-conspirators.

“Also, on 07/01/2023 at about 1430hrs following an intelligence report, a combined team of Police operatives in conjunction with local hunters strikes kidnappers’ hideout near Mansur Forest.

“Consequently, two of the bandits were neutralized and fabricated SMG riffle, and three operational motorcycles (Honda Bajaj) were equally recovered during the operation.” 

In related developments, operatives attached the Commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit Base 4, Alkaleri in conjunction with professional hunters engaged suspected kidnappers at Yankari forest via Jada.

During the operation, five (5) kidnapped victims who were believed to have been kidnapped from Cheledi village of kirfi LGA of Bauchi state were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families. Similarly, one suspect was arrested during the operation, while a locally fabricated pistol and the sum of ninety thousand-naira cash (N90, 000.00) were recovered from the suspects.

Similarly, on the 12th January 2023 Police Operatives attached to Alkaleri Divisional Police Headquarters acted on an intelligence report that a 14 year-old girl from Maimadi ward-Alkaleri LGA was kidnapped by some unknown armed men.

A patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer swung into action and engaged the hoodlums at their hideout. As a result, the victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with her family. One AK47 rifle was recovered during the operation. Furthermore, the patrol has been intensified in the forest to get the fleeing suspects arrested.