N2.26 Million Stolen Roofing Materials Retrieved by Bauchi Police, Suspect Held

The Bauchi State Police Command has announced the apprehension of an individual suspected of theft and the successful recovery of roofing materials valued at N2.26 million. This development follows a complaint regarding alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass, and theft originating from Azare, located in the Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

SP Nafiu Habib, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, issued a statement on Wednesday, confirming these details. He attributed the recovery to the prompt action taken by detectives attached to the Azare Divisional Police Headquarters. According to the police statement, a 35-year-old resident of Gandunwambai, Azare, lodged a complaint on Tuesday, August 5, 2026, around 8:00 a.m. The victim reported that unidentified individuals had forced entry into his shop situated along Kano Road, Azare, and made away with 460 metres of stonecut roofing sheets.

Habib elaborated on the incident, stating, "The command received a report on 5th August, 2026 at about 0800hrs from a 35-years-old male victim, resident of Gandunwambai, Azare, that on the same date at about 0700hrs, he discovered that unknown persons had gained entry into his shop located along Kano Road, Azare, using a master key and carted away 460 metres of stonecut roofing sheets."

Upon receiving this report, a team of detectives from the Azare Division was immediately dispatched to the scene. Leveraging credible intelligence, the team successfully intercepted the stolen construction materials along the Azare–Jama’are Road. During this operation, one suspect, Muktari Rufa’i, a 35-year-old male, was apprehended.

"Upon receipt of the report, a team of detectives from Azare Division was immediately mobilised to the scene. Acting on credible intelligence, the team intercepted the stolen roofing materials along Azare–Jama’are Road and arrested one of the suspects, Muktari Rufa’i, male, 35-years-old," Habib further stated.

The police spokesperson disclosed that Muktari Rufa’i confessed to his involvement in the crime during interrogation. He also identified an accomplice named Evra Pizo, who reportedly resides in the same locality. While efforts are currently underway to locate and apprehend Evra Pizo, who is presently at large, the arrested suspect remains in custody at the Azare Divisional Headquarters. SP Habib concluded that the case would soon be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for thorough investigations and subsequent prosecution.