MIRIAM NNOLI 
The operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command on Friday arrested several members of a four-man syndicate that specializes in robbing bank customers.
New Telegraph gathered that the syndicate also uses locally fabricated master keys to gain unauthorized access to their victim’s vehicles.
Confirming the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, noted that the gang targets bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.
The arrested members include Mustapha Bukar, 42; Mustapha Abubakar, 47; and Habibu Tijjani, 30. However, the fourth member, who is the gang leader, is currently at large.
The statement added that items recovered from the suspects included three locally fabricated master keys and two Toyota Honda saloon vehicles.
It also noted that the suspects specifically targeted individuals who had withdrawn money from banks, trailing them to their destinations.
However, the State Commissioner of Police, Auwal Muhammad, urged residents to exercise vigilance when leaving banks, avoid parking in isolated areas, refrain from carrying large sums of money in public, and report any suspicious activities near banks, financial institutions, or residential areas to the police.
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The statement reads partly, “On January 28, 2025, operatives from the State Intelligence Department (SID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended the syndicate, which specializes in targeting bank customers across Bauchi, Borno, and Kano states.
“A thorough investigation revealed that on January 27, 2025, at around 5 pm, the suspects observed a 43-year-old businessman (name withheld) leaving FCMB Bank in Bauchi after withdrawing a substantial sum for his business operations.
“The suspects followed him to his residence, positioning their vehicles strategically as they awaited his exit, intending to rob him of his funds.
“Upon realising he was being followed, the victim contacted his family to open the gate and secure his vehicle. He then informed the police about the suspicious activities, which led to the apprehension of three suspects.
“During the investigation, all apprehended suspects confessed to their involvement and provided crucial information that will aid in the capture of the ringleader, who is still at large,” the statement partly read.
“Once the victims parked their vehicles, the suspects used the fabricated keys to unlawfully access the cars. The suspects indicated that Honda vehicles are particularly susceptible due to weak locking mechanisms.”
