The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old man, Gambo Hassan, also known as “Anahaka,” for allegedly disguising himself as a commercial motorcycle rider to target women in Bauchi metropolis. The suspect is accused of kidnapping, robbing, and sexually assaulting unsuspecting passengers, particularly women, during evening hours. Police have identified 35 women as alleged victims and recovered a range of items from his residence, including phones, hijabs, wrappers, and foreign currencies.
Arrest and Initial Investigation
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, Hassan was arrested on September 11, 2026, at about 8:45 p.m. by operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road. Habib stated that preliminary investigation revealed the suspect allegedly posed as an Okada rider to lure unsuspecting passengers, especially women.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, ‘Okada’ rider during evening hours to target, kidnap, rob and at times rape unsuspecting passengers, particularly women,” Habib said.
The police said Hassan was arrested while riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G, wearing a black face mask and face cap. A sharp knife was also allegedly recovered from him at the time of his arrest.
Confession and Victim Identification
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed and assisted detectives in identifying some of the victims of his alleged activities. According to the command, detectives initially identified 15 women within Bauchi metropolis as victims, but the number later increased to 35 women as investigations continued.
Following the investigation, police said they obtained and executed a search warrant at Hassan’s residence, where several items suspected to be proceeds of crime were recovered.
Recovered Items and Next Steps
The recovered items included 15 assorted mobile phones, including Samsung Galaxy Fold, Redmi, iTel, iPhone, Infinix and Tecno phones; three power banks; six ladies’ wristwatches; six assorted native caps; five bundles of women’s wrappers; three women’s hijabs; ₦425,435 cash; and Kenyan and Turkish currency notes, among other items.
The police said the suspect and the recovered exhibits had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives involved in the arrest and urged members of the public, especially anyone who may have been a victim, to come forward with useful information to assist the investigation.
