Across Ogun, Bauchi and Cross River states, the police have arrested suspects in separate cases involving alleged car theft, kidnapping, robbery, rape and the attempted sale of a suspected stolen motorcycle.

In Ogun State, operatives of the Police Command arrested Monday Adetunji, an alleged accomplice in the theft of a Toyota Camry belonging to an Indian national based at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos.

The police also launched a manhunt for the fleeing driver, Waidi Kolawole, who was reportedly employed only two days before the vehicle disappeared.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, who confirmed the arrest yesterday in Abeokuta, said Kolawole had told his employer that he was taking the vehicle to a nearby vulcaniser to repair a tyre but allegedly absconded with it.

According to him, the vehicle was electronically tracked to the Ifo axis after the report was lodged at the Ifo Police Division.

The Divisional Police Officer, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi, subsequently deployed surveillance and anti-robbery operatives, who tracked the vehicle through several locations before finding it at a hotel in Ifo at about 8:30 p.m.

Babaseyi said Kolawole fled with the ignition key when he sighted the police, while Adetunji was arrested at the scene.

Preliminary investigation, he added, indicated that the suspects had allegedly approached a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalytic converter, but the mechanic declined.

The vehicle has since been recovered and secured, while efforts are ongoing to arrest Kolawole and determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident.

In Bauchi State, the police arrested a 53-year-old man, Gambo Hassan, popularly known as “Anahaka,” over alleged kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and unlawful possession of offensive weapons.

Hassan, who lives in Bauchi metropolis, was arrested by operatives of the ‘B’ Division, GRA, during a routine patrol along Adamu Jumba Road at about 8:45 p.m. on September 11.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, said preliminary investigation indicated that Hassan allegedly disguised himself as a commercial motorcyclist to target unsuspecting passengers, particularly women, during evening hours.

Police alleged that he used the disguise to kidnap and rob passengers and, in some cases, sexually assault them.

At the time of his arrest, he was allegedly riding a Bajaj motorcycle, registration number BAU-150G, wearing a black face mask and face cap. A sharp knife was reportedly recovered from him.

The police said Hassan allegedly confessed during interrogation and subsequently assisted detectives in identifying victims.

While 15 women were initially identified, the number of alleged victims later rose to 35 within Bauchi metropolis, according to the command.

A search of his residence, conducted after detectives obtained a warrant, allegedly led to the recovery of 15 assorted mobile phones, including a Samsung Galaxy Fold, two iPhones, a Redmi, two itel phones, four Infinix phones and two Tecno phones.

Other recovered items included three power banks, six women’s wristwatches, six assorted native caps, five bundles of women’s wrappers, three women’s hijabs and N425,435 cash.

The police also recovered Kenyan and Turkish currency notes and other items believed to be proceeds of crime.

The suspect and exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, in Cross River State, police operatives arrested a 22-year-old man, Ason Onen Usang, while he was allegedly attempting to sell a motorcycle suspected to have been stolen from Ikom Local Council.

Usang, a resident of Abi Local Council, was arrested by operatives of the Ekori Police Division at about 9:00 p.m. on September 9.

The recovered Dayang motorcycle was unregistered and bore chassis number LKIPCKL10M1086477 and engine number DY156EMI7133995.

The police said Usang claimed to have bought the motorcycle from an unidentified person but could not provide the seller’s identity, purchase documents or other verifiable evidence of the transaction.

The circumstances surrounding the motorcycle reportedly raised suspicion and prompted further investigation into its origin.

Usang remains in police custody as investigators work to establish the rightful owner, trace the alleged seller and determine whether other persons were involved.

The command appealed to anyone who recognises the motorcycle or has information that could help locate its owner to contact the Police Public Relations Officer or report to the nearest police station.

The motorcycle will be released to its rightful owner after due verification and completion of the necessary investigative procedures, while Usang and anyone else found culpable will be charged to court.