Police intercept diverted trailer load of salt, arrests 2 suspects in Bauchi

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have intercepted a trailer loaded with over 1,000 bags of 25 kilogrammes of iodized salt worth N10 million suspected to have been diverted.

The Public Relations Officer, Bauchi State Command, Ahmed Wakil, stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi on Friday.

Wakil, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said that the two arrested suspects are conductors of the trailer which was recovered during a stop-and-search operation following credible intelligence adding that the driver is on the run.

“The Bauchi State Command has made notable strides in internal security operations. It successfully intercepted a truck transporting refined iodised salt, which was suspected of being diverted. This operation resulted in the apprehension of two individuals.

“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.

“Initial investigations indicate that the suspects were identified as conductors and were informed by the driver, who remains at large, about their destination in Alkeleri, Bauchi State. The Command is currently undertaking additional measures to locate and apprehend the driver and uncover further details surrounding this incident,” he said.

The Police Spokesman said that in a separate operation, the Command’s operatives arrested a 28-year old Nigerien impersonating as a military personnel at the Yankari Game Reserve Forest known for bandits activity.

He said that during an operation conducted on 30th April 2025 at about 4.00pm, the suspect, Jibrin Ali from Zandar, Niger Republic, was arrested in the Yankari Game Reserve, Alkeleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

“Jibrin was found impersonating as military personnel and displaying suspicious behaviour in an area known for bandit activity,” he said.

Wakil added that 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.

He said that upon interrogation, he could not satisfactorily explain his presence in the forest, raising concerns regarding his potential involvement with local criminal elements.

The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the diligence and professionalism demonstrated by the officers involved and has directed that both cases be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for more comprehensive investigations.

The Police Spokesman said that the Bauchi State Command remains committed to prioritising communities’ safety and security and appreciates the support of local security forces in these endeavours.