Bauchi Police Uncover Fake Okada Rider’s Alleged Crime Network, Identify 35 Female Victims
Bauchi Police Uncover Fake Okada Rider’s Alleged Crime Network, Identify 35 Female Victims
The Bauchi State Police Command has uncovered an alleged criminal operation in which a 53-year-old man reportedly posed as a commercial motorcycle rider to target unsuspecting women, with investigators identifying 35 alleged female victims.
The suspect, identified as Gambo Hassan, also known as “Anahaka,” was arrested by police operatives during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road in Bauchi metropolis.
According to the police, Hassan allegedly disguised himself as an Okada rider and picked up unsuspecting passengers, particularly women, during evening hours before allegedly kidnapping, robbing and, in some cases, sexually assaulting them.
The suspect, a resident of Igbo Quarters in Bauchi, was arrested at about 8:45 p.m. on September 11 while reportedly riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G.
Police said he was wearing a black face mask and cap at the time of his arrest, while a sharp knife was allegedly recovered from him.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Bauchi State, SP Nafiu Habib, said preliminary investigation initially linked the suspect to 15 women who were identified as alleged victims.
However, as detectives expanded their investigation, the number of identified women reportedly increased to 35, raising fresh concerns about the scale and duration of the alleged operation.
Following the development, detectives obtained a search warrant and searched the suspect’s residence, where several items believed to be proceeds of crime were recovered.
Among the items allegedly recovered were 15 assorted mobile phones, including Samsung Galaxy Fold, Redmi, iPhone, iTel, Infinix and Tecno devices.
Police also recovered three power banks, six women’s wristwatches, five bundles of wrappers, three women’s hijabs and ₦425,435 in cash.
Foreign currencies, including Kenyan and Turkish notes, were also reportedly found during the search.
The police said the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the officers involved in the arrest and assured residents that the command would continue operations aimed at combating criminal activities across the state.
The Commissioner also appealed to members of the public, particularly anyone who believes they may have fallen victim to the suspect’s alleged activities, to come forward and provide information that could assist investigators.
The case has also highlighted the security risks associated with criminals allegedly disguising themselves as legitimate transport operators to gain the confidence of unsuspecting passengers.
Police investigations are continuing, while the allegations against the suspect remain subject to determination through the judicial process.
