Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 27‑year‑old suspect in connection with the theft of high‑value smart televisions valued at approximately N1.2 million, while a manhunt continues for his accomplice who remains at large, the command announced on Monday, May 4, 2026. The breakthrough followed an intelligence‑led operation by detectives attached to the command’s Anti‑Crime Unit, who acted on a tip‑off about a suspected burglary at an electronics shop in the Wunti area of Bauchi metropolis. The suspect, whose identity was given only as Usman Abubakar, a resident of the Gwallagan Mayanka area, was intercepted while attempting to transport the stolen goods to an unknown buyer. Two Samsung smart televisions, a thirty‑two inch and a forty‑three inch model, were recovered from the suspect. Their combined market value was put at N1.2 million by the command’s spokesperson.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Bauchi Command, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakili, the arrest followed a complaint lodged by the owner of an electronics retail shop on Friday, May 1, 2026. The shop owner reported that unknown persons had broken into his store during the night and made away with five brand new smart televisions. Detectives were immediately deployed to the scene, where they gathered forensic evidence and began tracking the stolen items. By Sunday, May 3, surveillance operatives had identified a suspect attempting to offload two of the televisions in a nearby market. The suspect was taken into custody without incident. During interrogation, Abubakar reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting that he and his accomplice had targeted the shop after conducting a daytime reconnaissance. He told investigators that they used a master key to bypass the shop’s lock and loaded the televisions into a waiting tricycle. The accomplice, identified only as “Bello,” is still at large, with police stating that efforts to track him are ongoing.
The recovery of the two smart televisions is only a partial victory. Police sources told Stone Reporters News that three additional televisions, worth approximately N1.8 million, are still missing. The suspect claimed that his fleeing partner had taken the remaining three sets to an undisclosed location, possibly across state lines. The police have since alerted border communities and divisional police officers in neighbouring states to be on the lookout for anyone attempting to sell similar items. The command has also issued a warning to members of the public to avoid purchasing electronics from unverified sources, noting that buying stolen goods is a criminal offence punishable under the law. Meanwhile, the arrested suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
The Wunti area of Bauchi metropolis has witnessed a noticeable uptick in property crimes over the past six months, according to police data reviewed by this reporter. In March 2026, another electronics shop in the same neighbourhood was burgled, leading to the loss of laptops and mobile phones valued at over N3 million. That case remains unsolved. The recent arrest, therefore, comes as a relief to shop owners who have increasingly called for more visible policing around commercial zones. Speaking to reporters on condition of anonymity, a trader in the Wunti market said, “We are grateful that the police have finally caught someone. But we need more patrols, especially at night. The thieves know that there are no security cameras or police posts here.” The police command, for its part, has pledged to intensify night patrols and collaborate with local vigilante groups to secure the area.
This arrest also highlights a recurring challenge for law enforcement in Bauchi State: the rapid disposal of stolen goods through informal markets. The stolen smart televisions were reportedly to be sold at prices significantly below market value, making them attractive to unsuspecting buyers. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer warned that anyone found in possession of stolen property would be prosecuted, even if they claim ignorance. “Ignorance is not an excuse under the law. We urge the public to demand receipts and proof of ownership before buying any second‑hand electronics,” CSP Wakili said. He also commended the community for providing the intelligence that led to the arrest, noting that cooperation between citizens and the police is essential for crime prevention.
The suspect, Usman Abubakar, is expected to face charges of theft and breaking and entering, offences that under the Penal Code applicable in Bauchi State carry prison terms of up to three years for first‑time offenders. However, if the police establish that the burglary was carried out as part of an organised criminal network, the suspects could face stiffer penalties. The fleeing accomplice, Bello, has been declared wanted, and the police have released his physical description to divisional headquarters across the state. Residents have been urged to report any sighting of suspicious individuals trying to sell high‑value electronics.
As the investigation continues, the shop owner who lost the five televisions has expressed cautious optimism. “I am happy that two of my TVs are back, but I have not seen the remaining three. I want both of them to face the law so that others will be discouraged from stealing,” he told journalists in a brief phone interview. For now, the Bauchi State Police Command has demonstrated that intelligence and community cooperation can yield results, but the flight of the accomplice and the unaccounted‑for televisions underscore the difficulty of completely dismantling criminal networks. The command has assured residents that it will not rest until all goods are recovered and all suspects are brought to justice. As of the time of filing this report, the accomplice remains at large, and a court date for the arrested suspect has not yet been set.
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