Bauchi Police recover vehicles, arrest 11 suspects linked to kidnapping, bandits 

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and supplying fuel to bandits during operations in January 2026.

The command disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing held at the Police Headquarters on Yandoka Road, Bauchi, where it presented its security scorecard for the month.

According to the security scorecard issued by the command’s spokesman, Nafiu Habib, two stolen vehicles were recovered in separate operations.

The statement reads: “On January 5, a Toyota Hilux belonging to one of the emirate councils in the state was stolen at a filling station along Jos Road while the driver briefly stepped away. A patrol team swiftly responded and recovered the vehicle, arresting the suspect.

“Similarly, on January 23, operatives attached to ‘A’ Division intercepted a stolen Honda Civic along the Bauchi–Jos Road. Two suspects, Muazu Abdulkarim, 32, and Rukayya Muhammad, 22, were arrested. Investigation revealed the vehicle was stolen in December 2025 from Kaduna State and was later handed over to its rightful owner, a medical doctor at the Federal Medical Centre, Birnin Kudu.”

The command also reported that it successfully resolved a breach of public peace on January 16 when truck drivers blocked the Bauchi–Jos highway at Miri following a dispute over a damaged truck tyre.
Police intervention led by the Divisional Police Officer of ‘B’ Division restored normalcy and cleared the road.

In another development, the Police said it recovered two stolen tricycles and a motorcycle in Bauchi metropolis. One suspect, Isiyaka Mohammed, was arrested with a repainted tricycle stolen from the Kobi area, while another suspect, Ismail Mohammed, 20, was apprehended on January 30 in connection with the robbery of a tricycle at Tirwun.

On February 1, surveillance operatives also recovered a suspected stolen Kymco motorcycle abandoned by fleeing suspects along Railway Road.

The Police further recorded success in tackling suspected armed robbery and kidnapping in Kirfi Local Government Area.

On January 26, police operatives arrested two brothers, Isiya Nasiru, 20, and Umaru Nasiru, 18, after miscreants blocked the Bauchi–Gombe highway near Kalajanga. Items recovered included live ammunition, charms, face masks and phones.

On January 27, following intelligence on a kidnapping in Bara Village, a joint team of police and local security outfits stormed the kidnappers’ hideout, neutralised one suspect and arrested the alleged kingpin, Abdulkadir Adamu, 60. Two abducted victims were rescued and taken to hospital. Several firearms, cartridges and other dangerous weapons were recovered during the operation.

The command also announced the arrest of a suspect, Hassan Mijinyawa, for alleged impersonation and forgery involving the unauthorised use of an NBA stamp and seal. The suspect was arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Bauchi, and the case adjourned to February 6, 2026.

In Alkaleri Local Government Area, police arrested two suspects on February 3 for allegedly supplying fuel to bandits. The suspects were intercepted with 560 litres of petrol reportedly intended for criminal groups operating in the area.

Other recoveries made by the command include two AK-47 rifles, three dane guns, 200 live ammunition, 40 empty shells, knives, cutlasses, an axe and sticks.

The command reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety, calling on residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies and assuring that all reports would be treated confidentially.

Bauchi Police recover vehicles, arrest 11 suspects linked to kidnapping, bandits