The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a car theft syndicate and recovered N5 million allegedly stolen from a motorist shortly after he withdrew the money from a commercial bank in Bauchi.
Police said the suspect was arrested following a swift operation by detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang who escaped after abandoning the stolen cash and their getaway vehicle.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the recovered money has since been returned to its owner.
According to the statement, the incident occurred on Monday when a 50-year-old man withdrew N5 million from a Fidelity Bank branch located along Ahmadu Bello Way in Bauchi.
After collecting the money, the victim reportedly drove to HD Plaza to buy some items. Police said he parked his vehicle, locked it and went into the shopping complex, believing the money was safe inside the car.
However, when he returned a short time later, he discovered that thieves had allegedly broken into the vehicle and stolen the cash.
The police said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects allegedly used a fabricated key to gain access to the vehicle before damaging one of its doors and shattering a side window.
After taking the money, the suspects reportedly concealed it inside a Peugeot 406 vehicle and attempted to flee the area.
“The victim immediately raised the alarm and pursued the fleeing suspects while calling for help,” the statement said.
The police explained that the quick reaction of the victim, combined with assistance from members of the public, forced the suspects to abandon both the stolen money and the Peugeot 406 before escaping from the scene.
Detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department immediately launched a manhunt and later arrested one of the suspects.
The suspect was identified as Abubakar Mustapha, a resident of Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to the police, he was arrested behind Isa Yuguda House in Bauchi following intelligence gathered during the operation.
During the operation, detectives recovered the entire N5 million allegedly stolen from the victim.
They also recovered the abandoned Peugeot 406 believed to have been used during the operation, as well as a fabricated key allegedly used to gain access to the victim’s vehicle.
Police investigators believe the recovered key may provide important evidence as they continue efforts to identify and arrest other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed detectives to intensify investigations and ensure that every member of the gang involved in the incident is arrested and prosecuted.
According to the command, the ongoing investigation will focus on uncovering the activities of the syndicate, determining whether they are linked to similar incidents in Bauchi and neighbouring states, and recovering any additional evidence connected to their operations.
The police confirmed that the recovered N5 million has already been handed back to the victim after the necessary documentation was completed.
The command commended the victim for acting quickly after discovering the theft instead of giving up, noting that his immediate response played a major role in the recovery of the money.
It also praised a Good Samaritan who joined the effort by assisting in raising the alarm and helping to frustrate the suspects’ escape.
According to the police, cooperation between citizens and security agencies remains one of the most effective ways of preventing crime and ensuring that criminals are brought to justice.
The command urged residents to remain alert, especially when withdrawing large sums of money from banks or other financial institutions.
It advised members of the public to avoid leaving cash unattended inside vehicles, even for a short period, as criminal gangs often monitor customers leaving banks before carrying out attacks.
Police also recommended that individuals withdrawing large amounts of money should consider seeking police protection where necessary.
The command noted that police escorts are available for people transporting substantial sums of cash or other valuable items, particularly when there are security concerns.
In recent years, security agencies across Nigeria have repeatedly warned that some criminal gangs operate around banking areas and commercial centres, monitoring customers who make large cash withdrawals.
These groups often trail victims to shopping centres, markets, offices or residential areas before striking when the opportunity presents itself.
Some syndicates use master keys, fabricated keys or other tools to gain quick access to parked vehicles, while others break windows or force doors open to steal cash and valuables.
The police have therefore advised bank customers to be discreet when handling cash transactions and to avoid discussing the amount withdrawn in public places.
The Bauchi Police Command assured residents that it remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state through intelligence-led policing, rapid response and closer collaboration with members of the public.
It urged anyone with useful information about the fleeing suspects to report to the nearest police station or other security agencies, assuring that such information would be treated confidentially.
The latest recovery comes as police authorities continue to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks involved in theft, robbery and other property-related offences in Bauchi State.
The command expressed confidence that the remaining suspects would soon be apprehended and brought before the courts to face the full weight of the law.
For now, the successful recovery of the N5 million and the arrest of one suspect have been welcomed as a major breakthrough, highlighting the importance of swift police action and public cooperation in the fight against crime.