The Kebbi State Police Command has apprehended five persons suspected to be members of a robbery and kidnapping syndicate accused of
carrying out “one-chance” attacks on highways across the state.
The arrests were confirmed in a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, who explained that the suspects were captured during separate intelligence-led operations in Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Jega, Maiyama and Aliero Local Government Areas.
Police identified the suspects as Abubakar Muhammad from Bancho village in Tambuwal, alongside Shehu Ango, Shamsu Daudu, Shuaibu Umar and Aisha Usmanu.
Investigators alleged that the group disguised themselves as commercial transport operators, picking up unsuspecting passengers before allegedly robbing them with weapons and abandoning them in remote areas.
According to the command, one victim was reportedly forced to surrender banking details after which the suspects allegedly withdrew more than ₦1 million from the victim’s account. Police added that the gang later contacted the victim’s family and demanded ransom before the person was eventually released.
The police also connected the suspects to another robbery incident said to have occurred on April 30, 2026, around Tashar Hauwa axis along the Jega–Kalgo Road. In that case, a female passenger identified as Shamsiyya Samaila was allegedly dispossessed of her Infinix Android phone, power bank, charger and Opay ATM card.
According to investigators, the syndicate later withdrew ₦9,000 using the ATM card linked to the victim’s account.
The command stated that ongoing investigations have further linked the suspects to several other “one-chance” robbery and abduction operations on highways within Kebbi State, while efforts continue to arrest other members of the gang who are currently on the run.
The Commissioner of Police advised members of the public, especially travellers, to avoid boarding suspicious vehicles on highways and instead make use of recognised motor parks and bus terminals.
The command also reaffirmed its commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state and appealed to residents to continue providing useful information to security agencies.