Police arrest fake Okada rider over robbery, rape of 35 women in Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old suspected fake commercial motorcycle rider, Gambo Hassan, alias “Anahaka,” over alleged kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons in Bauchi metropolis.

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The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Sunday, saying the suspect was arrested through intelligence-led policing and covert operations.

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Habib said operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, arrested Hassan on September 11, 2026, at about 8:45 pm during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road.

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He said, “On 11th September, 2026, at about 2045hrs, operatives of ‘B’ Division GRA, Bauchi, on routine patrol arrested 53-year-old Gambo Hassan, alias ‘Anahaka,’ a male of Igbo Quarters, Bauchi.”

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The PPRO said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, popularly known as an Okada, rider during evening hours to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women.

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He said, “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.”

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According to Habib, the suspect was found in possession of a sharp knife and was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration number BAU 150G while wearing a black face mask and face cap.

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He added, “At the time of arrest along Adamu Jumba Road, he was found in possession of a sharp knife and was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with Reg. No. BAU 150G, while wearing a black face mask and a face cap.”

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The police spokesman said the suspect allegedly confessed to the offences during interrogation and subsequently led detectives to identify some of his alleged victims.

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“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. He further led detectives to identify fifteen women within Bauchi metropolis as victims of his criminal activities. The number of identified victims later rose to thirty-five women,” Habib said.

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He disclosed that following the development, detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and recovered several items suspected to be proceeds of crime.

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According to him, the recovered items included “Fifteen assorted phones: Samsung Galaxy Fold, Redmi, two iTel, two iPhones, four Infinix, two Tecno, three power banks, six ladies’ wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and cash sum of N425,435.”

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Habib added that Kenyan and Turkish currency notes, among other items, were also recovered from the suspect’s residence.

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The PPRO said, “In line with standard procedure, the suspect and all recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.”

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He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as commending the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.

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The commissioner also assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

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Habib said the CP “urged members of the public, especially victims, to come forward with useful information to aid investigation.”

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The command further assured residents that it remained resolute in its efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across Bauchi State.

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