Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
BAUCHI, Nigeria – The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested five suspected kidnappers and successfully rescued two abducted victims following intelligence-led operations in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state. The command confirmed the breakthrough in a press release issued on June 5, 2026, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil.
The operation, which took place on June 4, 2026, was carried out by a combined team of police operatives from the Alkaleri Division, tactical units, and local vigilantes acting on credible intelligence about a kidnap gang operating within the Mansur and Pali districts of Alkaleri LGA. The suspects were apprehended in two separate raids. In the first raid, operatives intercepted three suspects during a special patrol in Mansur village, Gwana District. A second raid in communities around Pali District led to the arrest of two additional suspects, bringing the total to five.
Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated pistols, 25 rounds of live ammunition, three mobile phones, and a sum of cash believed to be proceeds from ransom payments. The two rescued victims, identified as Mallam Umar Sani, a 45-year-old farmer, and 14-year-old Fatima Bello, a secondary school student, were abducted from their homes in separate incidents over the past two weeks. The police confirmed that both victims have been reunited with their families after receiving medical attention at the General Hospital in Alkaleri.
The Commissioner of Police for Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response. He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intensifying operations against kidnapping and banditry across the state, noting that Alkaleri LGA had become a hotspot for such crimes due to its dense forests and proximity to border areas. He also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.
Alkaleri Local Government Area, located in the southern part of Bauchi State, has witnessed a surge in kidnapping-for-ransom incidents over the past year. In February 2026, gunmen invaded Degare village in the same LGA, abducting four female family members. A joint operation later rescued two of the victims. In April 2026, security forces rescued 45 kidnapped victims from forests around Alkaleri, marking one of the largest rescue operations in the state’s history. The persistent insecurity has been linked to criminal networks that exploit the rugged terrain and weak security presence in rural communities.
The five arrested suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Bauchi, where they are undergoing interrogation. Police say efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang who fled during the operation. The command has also intensified patrols along the Bauchi–Gombe highway and other major roads leading out of Alkaleri to prevent the escape of remaining fugitives.
Residents of Mansur and Pali communities have expressed relief at the arrests, though many remain cautious. “We are grateful to the police, but we know that more criminals are still hiding in the bush,” said a community leader who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We need permanent security posts, not just raids.” The Bauchi State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the development, but Governor Bala Mohammed has previously pledged to support security agencies with logistics and intelligence-sharing to tackle the menace.
The police have appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. As the investigation continues, the command assures residents that justice will be pursued diligently and without compromise.
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