Police arrest suspect over fake bank alert in Bauchi, recover N3m electronics

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a suspected fraudster for allegedly swindling a businessman using a fabricated bank alert and recovered stolen appliances valued at N3 million. The police have also launched a manhunt for a second suspect who remains at large.

The principal suspect, 34-year-old Alex Bwacha from Gombe State, was apprehended following a complaint lodged by a 65-year-old businessman residing in the New GRA axis of Bauchi. According to the police, Bwacha and his partner, identified as Bako Akin from Jos, visited the complainant’s shop at Fire Service Junction on October 26, masquerading as genuine customers.

The suspects purchased electronics, including three televisions, a sound bar, two air conditioners, and a home theatre and sent a fake electronic payment receipt to the trader before fleeing with the goods.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Nafiu Habib, disclosed that detectives attached to the ‘B’ Division quickly swung into action upon receiving the report on October 30. He stated that the investigation eventually extended to Jos, where the remaining stolen items were retrieved.

“All the stolen items have now been recovered. The arrested suspect is in police custody, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing accomplice”.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the officers for their response and urged traders to confirm payments through their financial institutions before releasing goods, warning that investigations are ongoing to ensure all perpetrators face the law.

In a related development on Saturday, the command arrested two suspected suppliers of rubber solution and rescued 17 minors allegedly found abusing the substance within the Bauchi metropolis.