The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old suspect and recovered stolen roofing materials valued at N2.26 million following a theft incident in Azare, Katagum Local Government Area of the state. The arrest was made through intelligence-led policing and routine visibility patrols, according to the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib.
Incident and Immediate Response
The case was reported on Tuesday, August 4, by a 35-year-old shop owner from Gandunwambai, Azare, who discovered that unknown persons had broken into his shop along Kano Road using a master key and carted away 460 metres of Stonecut roofing sheets. Habib stated that detectives from the Azare Police Division were immediately deployed to the scene and, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the stolen materials along the Azare–Jama’are Road.
Arrest and Confession
During the operation, one suspect, Muktari Rufa’i, 35, was arrested, while the recovered roofing sheets were valued at N2,260,000. Habib said the suspect confessed during interrogation and allegedly identified one Evra Pizo, said to be from the same address, as his accomplice. The second suspect is currently on the run, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
Next Steps and Police Commendation
The police spokesperson said the arrested suspect remained in custody at the Azare Division and that the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi for further investigation and prosecution. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the Divisional Police Officer and officers of the Azare Division for their swift response, urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
