The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old man, Gambo Hassan, alias “Anahaka,” for allegedly disguising himself as a commercial motorcycle rider to kidnap, rob and rape unsuspecting passengers in Bauchi metropolis.
The suspect was also allegedly found in possession of an offensive weapon during his arrest.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying Hassan was arrested through intelligence-led policing and covert operations.
Habib said operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, apprehended the suspect at about 8:45pm on September 11, 2026, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road.
According to him, preliminary investigation showed that Hassan allegedly operated as an Okada rider during evening hours and used the guise to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women.
The PPRO said the suspect was arrested while riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G. He was allegedly wearing a black face mask and face cap and had a sharp knife in his possession.
Habib said the suspect allegedly confessed to the offences during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to some of his alleged victims.
He said detectives initially identified 15 women in Bauchi metropolis as victims of the suspect’s alleged criminal activities, but the number later increased to 35.
Following the development, police detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at Hassan’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, Redmi, two iTel phones, two iPhones, four Infinix phones and two Tecno phones.
Also recovered were three power banks, six ladies’ wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and N425,435 cash.
The police also recovered Kenyan and Turkish currency notes, among other items, from the suspect’s residence.
Habib said Hassan and all the recovered exhibits had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.
The CP also assured residents of the command’s continued efforts to rid Bauchi State of criminal elements, while urging members of the public, particularly anyone who may have been a victim, to come forward with useful information to assist the investigation.
