The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended two 15-year-old Junior Secondary School 3 students for their involvement in the theft of 100 mobile phones and other electronics at Wunti Market, Bauchi. The suspects, Hamza Sadiq and Adamu Ahmadu, both students of Bakari Dukku Comprehensive Secondary School, were arrested on October 1, 2024, after a thorough investigation by the Operation Restore Peace (ORP) unit.
According to Police Public Relations Officer Ahmed Wakil, the students are accused of stealing from a mobile phone shop, where they made away with not only phones but also 75 MP4 players, 30 phone batteries, 50 external memory cards, and a Bluetooth headset. The shop’s owner reported the missing items, which prompted the swift intervention of the ORP unit, led by CSP Kim Albert, under the directive of Commissioner of Police CP Auwal Musa.
The investigation revealed that the students gained access to the shop by obtaining a key and repeatedly returning to steal items during the day when the shop owner was away. They reportedly sold the stolen items at significantly reduced prices, using the proceeds to purchase personal goods such as clothing, food, and a smartphone.
Police were able to recover 21 mobile phones, 5 MP4 players, a mobile phone charger, and a metal key from the suspects. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining stolen goods.
Wakil added that the two teenagers will be remanded in a rehabilitation facility following the conclusion of the investigation, with further legal action expected to follow.
The case has sparked a conversation about youth crime and the need for proper guidance, with residents expressing concern over the increasing involvement of minors in criminal activities.
