Bauchi Families Relieved as Police Arrest Fake Okada Rider Accused of Prey!ng on Women

For many families in Bauchi metropolis, evenings had become a time of quiet worry as daughters, wives, and sisters commuting home on commercial motorcycles were never quite sure who was really behind the handlebars.

That fear now has a name: 53-year-old Gambo Hassan, alias ‘Anahaka,’ a man police say disguised himself as an Okada rider to target unsuspecting women.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested Hassan over alleged kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said officers arrested the suspect through intelligence-led policing and covert operations.

According to Habib, operatives of the 'B' Division, GRA, Bauchi, picked up Hassan on September 11, 2026, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road.

He said, "On September 11, 2026 at about 2045hrs, operatives of 'B' Division GRA, Bauchi, on routine patrol arrested 53-years-old Gambo Hassan, alias 'Anahaka,' a male of Igbo Quarters, Bauchi."

For the families of his alleged victims, the details that followed were chilling. Habib said, "Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect disguised himself as a commercial motorcycle, 'Okada' rider during evening hours to target, kidnap, rob and at times rape unsuspecting passengers, particularly women."

At the moment of his arrest, Hassan was allegedly carrying tools that matched the pattern of his crimes.

Habib said, "At the time of arrest along Adamu Jumba Road, he was found in possession of a sharp knife and was riding a Bajaj motorcycle with Reg. No. BAU 150G, while wearing a black face mask and a face cap."

What has left many households in the community especially shaken is the scale of what investigators uncovered next.

Habib disclosed, "During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. He further led detectives to identify 15 women within the Bauchi metropolis as victims of his criminal activities. The number of identified victims later rose to thirty-five women."

A search of the suspect's residence turned up a trove of items believed to belong to his victims: 15 assorted mobile phones, including a Samsung Galaxy Fold, a Redmi, two iTel phones, two iPhones, four Infinix phones and two Tecno phones; three power banks; six ladies' wristwatches; six assorted native caps; five bundles of women's wrappers; three women's hijabs; and N425,435 in cash.

Habib added that officers also recovered Kenyan and Turkish currency notes from the residence.

The PPRO said, "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."

Habib quoted the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as commending the detectives for their vigilance and professionalism in apprehending the suspect.

The commissioner also assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

For families still hoping for closure, the CP "urged members of the public, especially victims, to come forward with useful information to aid investigation."

The command further assured residents that it remained resolute in its efforts to clamp down on criminal activities across Bauchi State.