The Bauchi State Police Command has successfully apprehended a suspected phone snatcher along with five alleged thugs during separate operations in the Bauchi metropolis. The arrests were confirmed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, in a statement released on Sunday.

The incident leading to the phone snatching arrest occurred on Monday, August 25, 2026, when a 25-year-old man from Unguwan Mangororin Sale Toro was attending a Maulud procession near Kofar Fada. The victim reported that a 20-year-old suspect, identified as Abdullahi Abubakar from Unguwan Ardo, snatched his mobile phone valued at ₦50,000 and ₦30,000 in cash. During the confrontation, Abubakar allegedly passed the stolen phone to two accomplices, Al-Amin, also known as Busy, and Babale Sule. In the chaos, Sule reportedly struck the victim on the forehead with a stick, causing an injury.

The victim received medical attention at Under 5 Hospital, Jahun, and was later discharged. Following a swift response from the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), police operatives tracked down and arrested Abubakar. Efforts are currently underway to locate the remaining members of the syndicate and recover the stolen items.

In a separate operation, police received a distress call around 9 PM on Wednesday regarding a group of thugs armed with cutlasses causing disturbances in the Mangororin Sale Toro area. Responding promptly, VCRU operatives, in collaboration with local community leaders, arrested three individuals: 18-year-old Manauwir Isa, 17-year-old Ayuba Umar Hassan, and another 18-year-old, Umar Shuaibu, all residents of the same locality.

Additionally, another report of a violent altercation was received around 12:30 AM, leading to the arrest of 20-year-old Yahaya Abdullahi and 17-year-old Abdulrazak Rabiu, both from Gwabba, Nassarawan Jahun. They were found in possession of a sharpened cutlass at the time of their arrest.

In total, five suspects are now in police custody as investigations into these incidents continue. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the operatives for their quick action and professionalism in handling the situations. He reiterated the commitment of the police to eliminate criminal activities in the state and encouraged residents to report suspicious activities to aid in crime prevention. The police assured the public of their ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property throughout Bauchi State.