Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested a suspected robber while allegedly attempting to dispossess a victim of his mobile phone at knifepoint.
The suspect, Yakubu Mohammed Auwal, popularly known as “World Boy,” was apprehended on March 8 at about 11:50 am following a distress call.
The command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to Habib, the suspect allegedly stabbed a victim identified as Shamsuddeen in the lap after robbing him of a Techno Pop 5 phone valued at about N20,000.
“The operatives of ‘C’ Divisional Police Headquarters, Bauchi, acted on a distress call on March 8, 2026, at about 11:50hrs and arrested Yakubu Mohammed Auwal, aka ‘World Boy’ (22), of Magaji Quarters, Bauchi, while robbing Shamsuddeen (surname withheld) of Anguwan Sarakuna of a Techno Pop 5 phone worth N20,000 after stabbing him in the lap,” the statement read.
The police added that investigations linked the suspect to another individual identified as Bala Mohammed, also known as “Balagus.”
According to the command, the duo allegedly attacked a woman identified as Ijeoma Neonye at Magaji Quarters on March 7, stabbing her and dispossessing her of an Infinix Smart 7 Plus phone valued at N120,000, N280,000 cash, a Rolex chain wristwatch worth N35,000, and other valuables.
Habib added that further investigation revealed that Auwal and another accomplice, identified as Amir, who is currently at large, attacked another victim, Usama Abdullahi, on February 22.
Abdullahi was reportedly stabbed on the left shoulder and robbed of a Techno Pop 5 phone valued at N70,000.
While Bala Mohammed has been arrested, police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend Amir.
The command noted that prior to the recent incidents, Auwal was notorious for Sara-Suka thuggery in the Magaji Quarters, Anguwan Sarakuna and Rafin Makaranta areas.
“He was earlier arrested, prosecuted and convicted in 2024 without the option of a fine, but later resurfaced in the community and resumed criminal activities,” the statement added.
Items recovered from the suspects include two sharp knives, a pair of scissors and a Techno Pop 5 phone belonging to the first victim.
In a separate incident, the police also arrested one Usama Salihu, 21, following a complaint by Magdalene Pius, 24, of Gwallameji.
Pius alleged that Salihu threatened her with a knife on March 7 and robbed her of an Infinix Smart 9 phone valued at N125,000 and an Itel keypad phone worth N15,000.
The police said the suspect was immediately arrested and the Infinix Smart 9 was recovered as an exhibit, while the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, assured residents that the command would continue to strengthen security across the state.
The development comes less than a week after the command announced the arrest of several suspects linked to kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes across the state.
