Operatives of the Kebbi State Police Command have apprehended a 22-year-old suspected armed robber in Gwandu Local Government Area, while three other members of his gang remain on the run.
The arrest came after a 32-year-old man, identified as Umar Mode of Dalijan village, was attacked and robbed along the Gwandu–Birnin Kebbi Road on October 22, 2025.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, the victim was ambushed by armed hoodlums who inflicted serious injuries on him before stealing his unregistered red Boxer motorcycle and a Tecno mobile phone.
“Acting on credible intelligence, a combined team of policemen and vigilantes, led by the Divisional Police Officer of Gwandu Division, tracked down and arrested one Basiru Lawali, 22, of Bancho village in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” Abubakar said in a statement on Thursday.
He added that an unregistered TVS motorcycle was recovered from the suspect, who confessed to participating in the robbery and revealed the identities of his three accomplices — Hassan, Umaru, and Salihu — who are still at large.
Investigations revealed that the gang regularly met at Dodoru market to plan their operations and coordinate attacks along key routes in the area.
Abubakar confirmed that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Birnin Kebbi for deeper investigation, assuring that efforts were ongoing to track down and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Commending the officers for their prompt action, Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Sani, praised the Gwandu police division for its swift response and professionalism. He also urged them to maintain increased patrols along the Gwandu–Birnin Kebbi axis to deter further criminal activity.
“The Command remains committed to protecting lives and property. I commend the Gwandu team for their quick response and urge them to sustain this momentum,” Sani said.
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The police boss reiterated the command’s resolve to tackle the recurring problem of motorcycle-related crimes across the state, warning that those involved in aiding or supplying motorcycles to criminals would be prosecuted.
In recent months, Kebbi State Police Command has intensified operations targeting motorcycle-enabled crimes. Earlier in 2025, officers arrested five individuals allegedly supplying motorcycles to bandits, and during the operation, several bikes were confiscated, with suspects reportedly attempting to bribe officers to release them.
Similarly, in June 2025, security operatives recovered several motorcycles abandoned by suspected vandals in Ribah District, linking the vehicles to a wider network of theft and banditry operations.
The command reaffirmed its determination to ensure that all criminal elements involved in the Gwandu–Birnin Kebbi robbery and other violent incidents are brought to justice.