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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Nigerien arrested for ram theft in Bauchi

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Bauchi State Police arrested a 58-year-old Nigerien national, Sayyadi Abubakar, for allegedly stealing 18 rams.
  • The stolen rams are valued at approximately N7 million and were found in two intercepted vehicles.
  • The suspect confessed to conspiring with five accomplices, who are currently at large, and police are pursuing their arrest.

In a significant intelligence-led operation, the Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a foreign national suspected of masterminding a large-scale ram theft operation. The arrest of Sayyadi Abubakar, a 58-year-old from Niger Republic, and the recovery of 18 rams valued at N7 million, represents a notable success for our law enforcement agencies in combating cross-border crime.

On May 19, 2026, the Police Monitoring Team attached to the Area Command, Bauchi Metropolis, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted a white Hummer bus with registration number DELTA WW-882 ZR and a dark ash Toyota Camry with registration number BAUCHI NNG-293-AA along Gubi Road, Bauchi.

— SP Nafiu HabibDetailing the interception of the vehicles carrying the stolen rams.

The operation, which saw the interception of two vehicles loaded with the stolen livestock along Gubi Road, highlights the sophisticated methods employed by criminal syndicates. According to the police spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, Abubakar confessed to working with several accomplices, who are now the subject of an intensive manhunt. The syndicate's alleged practice of altering vehicle number plates to evade detection underscores the challenges faced in tracking such operations.

The police spokesperson identified the arrested suspect as Sayyadi Abubakar, 58, from Tahoua Town in Maradi Region, Niger Republic.

— SP Nafiu HabibIdentifying the arrested suspect.

This bust is a testament to the effectiveness of credible intelligence gathering and proactive policing. While the focus now shifts to apprehending the remaining suspects and bringing them to justice, this incident also raises questions about the porousness of our borders and the need for continued vigilance against criminal elements operating within our communities. The Bauchi State Police Command's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens is evident in this successful operation, and we anticipate further updates as the investigation progresses.

The suspect confessed during interrogation to conspiring with one Alhaji Ibrahim and four other accomplices, who are currently on the run.

— SP Nafiu HabibRevealing the suspect's confession about his accomplices.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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