Illegal Markets For Stolen Goods Increase Crime Rate In Bauchi

Snatching of phones and valuables by miscreants in Bauchi State cosmopolitan area is on the increase. From reports gathered, this crime has been ongoing for years but is worse happening between 6pm to 8:30pm, especially at weekends.

One of the victims, Mujahid Ibrahim, a staff at a non-governmental organisation, the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), narrated his ordeal on how he was robbed.

“It was around 8pm after I left my friend’s house, when I decided to stop by a mini-market at Wunti to pick up a few essentials before heading home.

“As I passed beneath the Wunti Flyover, currently under construction, suddenly,a brand new white motorcycle sped up from behind me, its riders veering dangerously close. Before I could react, it screeched to a halt, and two men dismounted. “Give us your phone!” one of them barked.

“Startled, I looked up, my heart racing. One of them took a step closer, revealing a knife glinting in the dim light. “If you resist, we’ll stab you,” he threatened. The weight of his words left no room for defiance. I handed over my phone without resisting at the moment. They also took my bag from my shopping.

Mujahid Ibrahim explained that the two men snatched his valuables, mounted the motorcycle and sped off through the bustling street, heading toward Gwallaga Juma’at Mosque and approaching the Nasarawa Roundabout.

“A kind-hearted motorcycle rider nearby, Bello Aliyu noticed what had happened and offered to help. He tried to follow them, but they escaped into the night.”

A passerby, Nasir A. Aminu who felt sympathy told Ibrahim that similar incident had happened to him within this same vicinity sometime ago.

Another victim, Danladi Ahmadu however attributed the rise in not only phone snatching, but also burglaries to the establishment of illegal markets for stolen goods and properties, especially in Bauchi metropolis. Adding that materialism, and in some incidences hunger made these miscreants engage in illegal business e.g “Alalumo” where they steal any metals even from their parents homes.

When contacted over these sad incidents, the Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) of the State Command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, explained that the command didn’t receive any official complaints on such incidents from anybody.

SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil  however reiterated the determination of the Bauchi Police Command to protect the lives and properties of citizens, and urged the general public to report any suspicion to the nearest police station for necessary action.