At least 35 women have been identified as alleged victims of a 53-year-old suspected fake commercial motorcycle rider arrested by police in Bauchi over alleged kidnapping, robbery and rape.
The suspect, Gambo Hassan, also known as “Anahaka”, was arrested by operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road at about 8:45 p.m. on September 11, 2026.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement shared on Sunday, saying the arrest followed intelligence-led policing and covert operations by the Command.
Habib said preliminary investigation revealed that Hassan allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an Okada, rider during evening hours to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women.
He said, “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.”
According to the spokesman, Hassan was arrested while riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G. He was also found in possession of a sharp knife and was wearing a black face mask and a face cap.
Habib said, “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 said the suspect allegedly confessed to the offences during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to identify 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,” Habib said.
Following the development, detectives obtained a search warrant and searched the suspect’s residence, where several items suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered.
The recovered items included 15 assorted mobile phones: a Samsung Galaxy Fold, a Redmi phone, two iTel phones, two iPhones, four Infinix phones and two Tecno phones.
The police also recovered three power banks, six ladies’ wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and ₦425,435 in cash.
Habib added that Kenyan and Turkish currency notes, among other items, were also recovered from the residence.
He said, “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.”
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.
According to Habib, the Commissioner assured residents that the Command would continue its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
The PPRO said the Commissioner also urged members of the public, particularly victims of the suspect’s alleged activities, to come forward with useful information that could assist the investigation.
The Command assured residents that it remained committed to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the safety and security of residents across Bauchi State.
