Police recover N10m stolen salt in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has disclosed the successful interception of a truck transporting refined iodised salt, which was suspected of being diverted.

According to a press release issued on Thursday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, the operation equally resulted in the apprehension of two individuals.

He explained, “On 30th April 2025, at about 1700 hours, operatives from the Alkeleri Divisional Police Headquarters acted on reliable intelligence, conducting a stop-and-search operation that led to the interception of a flat-topped truck trailer (registration number BAG 283 XF) carrying over one thousand bags of 25 kilograms each of iodised salt.

“The total estimated value of the confiscated salt amounts to approximately ten million two hundred thousand Naira (₦10,200,000). While the driver escaped the scene, the two suspects—Sadik Jidda, aged 20 years old, from Borno State, and Ibrahim Ahmad, aged 19 years old, from Kaduna State—were apprehended within the vehicle.”

Wakil stated that initial investigations indicated that the suspects were identified as conductors and were informed by the driver, who remains at large, about their destination in Alkeleri, Bauchi State.

He noted that the command is currently undertaking additional measures to locate and apprehend the driver and uncover further details surrounding the incident.

In the same vein, the command also disclosed a separate operation conducted on the same day where a 28-year-old individual, Jibrin Ali from Zandar, Niger Republic, was arrested in the Yankari Game Reserve, Alkeleri LGA, Bauchi State.

The PPRO revealed that Jibrin was found impersonating military personnel and displaying suspicious behaviour in an area known for bandit activity.

“Detectives from the Alkeleri Divisional Police Headquarters intervened during a routine patrol in collaboration with local security outfits and facilitated his arrest, which was met with some resistance.

“Upon interrogation, he could not satisfactorily explain his presence in the forest, raising concerns regarding his potential involvement with local criminal elements,” the statement added.

Wakil hinted that the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, while commending the diligence and professionalism demonstrated by the officers involved, has directed that both cases be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for more comprehensive investigations.

He stated that Bauchi State Command remains committed to prioritising our communities’ safety and security and appreciates the support of local security forces in these endeavours.