Police arrest ‘fake okada rider’ over alleged kidnapping, rape, robbery in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old man, Gambo Hassan, also known as “Anahaka,” over alleged involvement in multiple cases of kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and unlawful possession of an offensive weapon in Bauchi metropolis.

Hassan, a resident of Igbo Quarters, Bauchi, was arrested on September 11, 2026, at about 8:45 p.m. by operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road.

According to the police, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcyclist during evening hours to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women.

The command said Hassan was arrested while riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G, wearing a black face mask and fez cap, with a sharp knife allegedly found in his possession.

The police said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to 15 women whom he initially identified as victims of his alleged criminal activities.

The number of alleged victims later increased to 35 women, according to the command.

Following the development, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence, where police said several items suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered.

The recovered items included 15 assorted mobile phones, three power banks, six women’s wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and ₦425,435 cash, alongside Kenyan and Turkish currency notes and other items.

The suspect and the recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation and prosecution.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism, assuring residents that the command would continue its crackdown on criminal elements.

The police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, in a statement, also urged members of the public, particularly anyone who may have fallen victim to the suspect, to come forward with useful information to assist the ongoing investigation.