- The gang leader remains at large
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested three members of a four-man syndicate that specialises in robbing bank customers and using locally fabricated master keys to gain access to victims’ vehicles.
In a statement on Friday, police spokesperson Ahmed Wakil said the gang operated across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states, targeting individuals who withdrew large sums of money from banks.
The arrested suspects—Mustapha Bukar (42), Mustapha Abubakar (47), and Habibu Tijjani (30)—were apprehended following an intelligence-led operation. The gang leader remains at large.
According to the police, the suspects were caught while attempting to rob a 43-year-old businessman who had withdrawn a significant amount from an FCMB branch in Bauchi. Sensing he was being followed, the businessman alerted his family and the police, leading to the arrest.
Investigations revealed that the syndicate would trail victims from banks, wait for them to park, and use fabricated keys to unlock their vehicles. Police recovered three master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon cars from the suspects.
State Commissioner of Police Auwal Muhammad has urged residents to remain cautious, avoid carrying large sums of cash in public, and report suspicious activities near banks or residential areas.