Police arrest man over fake alert in Bauchi, recover N3m goods

The arrested suspect. Credit: Bauchi State Police Command.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspected fraudster and recovered stolen electronic appliances valued at N3 million.

The command also said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspect’s fleeing accomplice.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement released on Saturday, noting that the arrest was part of the command’s efforts to protect businesses, dismantle criminal syndicates and bring fraudsters targeting innocent traders to justice.

Habib explained that on October 30, 2026, at about 1:30 pm, a 65-year-old businessman residing in New GRA, Bauchi, reported at the ‘B’ Division GRA that he had been defrauded by two men.

According to the PPRO, the complainant said that on October 26, 2026, at about 1 pm, one Alex Bwacha, 34, a resident of Gombe State, allegedly conspired with one Bako Akin, of Jos, Plateau State, who is currently at large, to defraud him.

He said the suspects visited the complainant’s shop at Fire Service Junction, Bauchi, pretending to be genuine customers before purchasing electronic appliances worth N3m.

Habib listed the items as one Hisense 50-inch television, one Hisense 58-inch television, one TCL 43-inch television, one Hisense sound bar, two Hisense air conditioners and one LCT home theatre.

He added that the suspects allegedly sent a fake bank alert to the complainant as proof of payment before disappearing to an unknown destination.

“Upon receipt of the report, detectives from the ‘B’ Division swiftly swung into action and commenced a discreet investigation,” the statement read.

Habib said the principal suspect, Bwacha, was subsequently arrested, while some of the stolen items were recovered from him. He added that the investigation was extended to Jos, where the remaining items were recovered.

“All the stolen items have now been recovered. The arrested suspect is in police custody, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing accomplice,” the PPRO stated.

He said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

The PPRO further disclosed that the state Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their swift response and professionalism, which led to the arrest and recovery of the stolen items.

Habib warned criminal elements against defrauding innocent traders through fake bank alerts and other fraudulent means, stressing that the command would continue to track, arrest and prosecute offenders.

He urged members of the public, particularly business owners, to always confirm payments through their banks before releasing goods and promptly report suspicious transactions to the nearest police station.

On Saturday, the command arrested two suspected suppliers of rubber solution and rescued 17 minors allegedly found abusing the substance in Bauchi metropolis.

The command said the operation was part of its commitment to protecting children, dismantling drug supply networks and ensuring the safety of communities.