Nigerian Police Arrest Fake Okada Rider Accused of Raping 35 Women in Bauchi
Nigerian security forces arrested multiple suspects in separate operations across Bauchi, Edo and Lagos states, including a man accused of kidnapping, robbing and raping 35 women while posing as a motorcycle taxi rider.
Bauchi Fake Okada Rider Arrest
The Bauchi State Police Command arrested 53-year-old Gambo Hassan, alias Anahaka, on 11 September 2026 after he was found wearing a face mask and cap while riding a Bajaj motorcycle with registration BAU 150G and carrying a sharp knife. [1] Operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, Bauchi, made the arrest at about 8:45 pm during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road. [1] Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle rider during evening hours to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women. [1] The suspect was found in possession of a sharp knife at the time of arrest. [1] During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. [1] He further led detectives to identify fifteen women within Bauchi metropolis as victims of his criminal activities, and the number of identified victims later rose to thirty-five women. [1]
Items Recovered in Bauchi
Following the development, detectives executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and recovered several items suspected to be proceeds of crime. [1] The recovered items included fifteen assorted phones: Samsung Galaxy Fold, Redmi, two iTel, two iPhones, four Infinix, two Tecno, three power banks, six ladies’ wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and cash sum of N425,435. [1] Kenyan and Turkish currency notes, among other items, were also recovered from the suspect’s residence. [1] In line with standard procedure, the suspect and all recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Bauchi, for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution. [1]
Army Captures Suspected Kidnapper in Edo
Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Operation WABAIZIGAN, arrested suspected kidnapper Olamide Oyeniyi in Edo State’s Ikpoba-Okha LGA along the Benin-Sapele Road on 12 September 2026. [2] The arrest took place at Obaretin Community by troops conducting operations to disrupt criminal activities and safeguard major transportation routes within the area. [2] Items recovered from the suspect included one AK-47 rifle, one magazine and eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. [2] Other items recovered were one Tecno mobile phone, two bags, one torchlight, one music box and assorted charms. [2] The suspect and recovered items were in the troops’ custody for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to establish his links to other criminal elements and determine his possible involvement in kidnapping and related activities along the route. [2]
NDLEA Drug Interceptions in Lagos
NDLEA operatives intercepted a consignment at the import shed of Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, containing 27 parcels of Colorado weighing 32.20 kg. [3] Abideen Jide Salami, a real estate agent, was arrested on Wednesday when he arrived to collect the luggage. [3] In another operation, operatives arrested Nurudeen Abiodun Kadiri, 44, after tracing the intended recipient of a UK shipment containing 12.25 kg of Colorado. [3] The NDLEA noted that its Directorate of Operations and General Investigation intercepted a music speaker containing three packs of Colorado at a motor park in Maza Maza, Lagos. [3] The consignment was being taken to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, before being moved on to Liberia. [3] A tour agent, Ifeanyi Obed Augustine, 41, and the alleged owner of the consignment, Obasi Ugochuckwu, 46, were arrested during a sting operation at a nearby eatery. [3] At the Iddo motor park, operatives separately arrested Ifeanyi Nwokolo Henry on Friday while he was allegedly attempting to send 2.1 kg of Colorado to Kano. [3]
Zamfara Imam Kidnapping
Gunmen abducted six imams travelling to Talata Mafara in Zamfara State on 13 September 2026 along the Dakko–Damri feeder road in Bakura Local Government Area at about 11:30 a.m. [4] The divisional police officer in Bakura led officers to the scene. [4] Police personnel and other security agencies were searching for the victims. [4] The police statement did not disclose what the clerics were travelling for. [4] A lieutenant colonel and spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division said the military had not confirmed whether the abducted people were clerics and they had not been rescued at the time. [4]
Official Reactions
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect and assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements. [1] He urged members of the public, especially victims, to come forward with useful information to aid investigation. [1] The Nigerian Army remained focused on denying criminal elements freedom of action and ensuring the safety of communities and critical transportation corridors, while sustaining coordinated operations with other security agencies to strengthen security across Edo State. [2] The NDLEA’s chairman, Buba Marwa, commended the officers involved in the latest operations and directed them to sustain efforts to disrupt drug-trafficking routes through airports, seaports, land borders and the hinterland. [3]
What to watch next: Police and army continue searching for the six abducted imams in Zamfara while NDLEA sustains operations against trafficking routes and Bauchi detectives pursue further investigation into the identified victims.
