Bauchi Command Nabs Phone Snatching Gang, Thugs in Separate Operations

The Bauchi State Police Command has announced significant success in its campaign against criminal elements, confirming the apprehension of individuals linked to a phone-snatching ring and several suspected thugs across various operations within the Bauchi metropolis. SP Nafiu Habib, the command's spokesperson, issued a statement on Sunday, August 30, 2026, detailing these developments.

One key incident involved a 25-year-old resident from Unguwan Mangororin Sale Toro, Bauchi LGA, who reported a phone-snatching incident. The victim stated that on Monday, August 25, 2026, around 12:30 PM, while attending a Maulud procession along Kofar Fada, a 20-year-old man identified as Abdullahi Abubakar of Unguwan Ardo, allegedly snatched his Honor mobile phone, valued at N50,000, along with N30,000 in cash.

According to the police report, when the victim attempted to apprehend Abdullahi Abubakar, the suspect reportedly passed the stolen phone to two alleged accomplices, Al-Amin (alias Busy) and Babale Sule, both residing in the same area. Babale Sule then allegedly assaulted the complainant, striking him on the forehead with a stick and causing an injury, which allowed Abdullahi Abubakar to escape. The victim received medical attention at Under 5 Hospital, Jahun, and was subsequently discharged.

Following a prompt response, operatives from the VCRU successfully tracked down and arrested Abdullahi Abubakar. Investigations are currently underway to locate and apprehend the remaining members of the syndicate and to recover the stolen items.

In a separate development on Wednesday, August 27, 2026, around 9:00 PM, the Command received a distress call concerning a group of thugs armed with cutlasses and other dangerous weapons causing disturbances in the Mangororin Sale Toro area, specifically via Shingen Abba. VCRU personnel, working in conjunction with local community leaders, were immediately dispatched to the scene. Their intervention led to the arrest of three suspects: Manauwir Isa (18), Ayuba Umar Hassan (17), and Umar Shuaibu (18), all residents of Mangororin Sale Toro.

Later the same day, around 12:30 PM, another report emerged about a brawl involving thugs in the Jaja via Jahun area of Bauchi. VCRU patrol teams swiftly responded to this incident, apprehending Yahaya Abdullahi (20) and Abdulrazak Rabiu (17), both from Gwabba via Nassarawan Jahun. Abdulrazak Rabiu was found to be in possession of a sharpened cutlass at the time of his arrest.

In total, five suspects have been taken into custody in connection with these thuggery-related incidents. All three cases—the phone snatching and the two separate thuggery reports—are currently under thorough investigation, with efforts ongoing to arrest any outstanding accomplices.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, mni, psc (+), lauded the operatives for their quick action and professional conduct. He reaffirmed the Command's unwavering commitment to eradicating criminal elements from the state and appealed to residents to continue providing timely and crucial information to the Police to bolster effective crime prevention strategies. The Command assured the public of its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property throughout Bauchi State.