The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended three suspected armed robbers after one of them allegedly forgot his mobile phone at the scene of a robbery operation.
Police said the breakthrough followed a complaint by one Everest Jonathan, who reported that five armed men stormed his residence along Jos Road in Bauchi and carted away valuable items.
The command’s spokesman, Ahmed Mohammed, said:
“A team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Holman Simon, immediately visited the scene and assessed the level of damage and loss.”
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects, identified as 20-year-old Alhassan Jibrin, popularly known as Babani Biri, left his Android phone behind while fleeing the scene.
The discovery reportedly led detectives to track and arrest his accomplices, Lawan Adamu of Wayan Makafi, Lawan Idris, 20, of Behind Old Airport, and 22-year-old Muhammad Yau, alias Madugu, of Behind Emir’s Palace, all in Bauchi.
Police sources said the suspects confessed during interrogation to taking part in the robbery.
Items recovered from them include a travelling bag, two sets of clothes, two pairs of sneakers, two cutlasses, an Android phone, a keypad phone, and two torchlights.
The command added that efforts were underway to apprehend other members of the gang who are still on the run.
The suspects, police said, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, after which they would be charged to court.