Police nab suspected fraudster over N3m electronics scam in Bauchi
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineThe Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old man for allegedly defrauding a businessman with a fake bank alert and recovered electronic appliances valued at N3m.
The command said the suspect’s alleged accomplice, identified as Bako Akin, who is from Jos, Plateau State, remains at large, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend him.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, saying the arrest demonstrated the command’s commitment to protecting businesses and bringing fraudsters to justice.
According to Habib, a 65-year-old businessman residing in New GRA, Bauchi, reported the incident at the ‘B’ Division GRA on October 30, 2026.
The complainant said that on October 26, at about 1pm, Alex Bwacha, 34, a resident of Gombe State, allegedly conspired with Akin to defraud him.
Habib said the suspects visited the complainant’s shop at Fire Service Junction, Bauchi, pretending to be genuine customers before purchasing electronic appliances worth N3m.
The items included a Hisense 50-inch television, a Hisense 58-inch television, a TCL 43-inch television, a Hisense sound bar, two Hisense air conditioners and an LCT home theatre.
The suspects allegedly sent a fake bank alert to convince the businessman that payment had been made before fleeing with the appliances.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives from the ‘B’ Division swiftly swung into action and commenced a discreet investigation,” the statement read.
Habib said detectives subsequently arrested Bwacha and recovered some of the stolen appliances from him. The investigation was later extended to Jos, where the remaining items were recovered.
“All the stolen items have now been recovered. The arrested suspect is in police custody, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing accomplice,” the PPRO stated.
He added that the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.
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The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their swift response and professionalism, which led to the arrest and recovery of the stolen goods.
Habib warned fraudsters against targeting traders through fake bank alerts and other fraudulent methods, assuring that the command would continue to track down and prosecute offenders.
He also advised business owners to confirm payments directly with their banks before releasing goods and report suspicious transactions to the nearest police station.
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