The Kebbi State Police Command has warned residents and travelers to avoid boarding commercial vehicles outside official motor parks, following the arrest of five suspected armed robbers linked to “one-chance” operations along highways in the state.
In a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammed Hadejia, said the advisory became necessary after coordinated security operations led to the arrest of the suspects across Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Jega, Maiyama, and Aleiro Local Government Areas.
Police said the suspects allegedly specialised in posing as commercial drivers or passengers to lure unsuspecting victims before attacking and robbing them on the highway.
Those arrested were identified as Abubakar Muhammad from Sokoto State, Shehu Ango, Shamsu Daudu, Shuaibu Umar, and a female suspect, Aisha Usmanu.
The command said the group conspired to target travellers, using weapons to dispossess them of their belongings during operations along major routes in the state.
Commissioner Hadejia warned that boarding vehicles outside regulated motor parks increases exposure to criminal networks and urged the public to always use approved parks where security monitoring is stronger.
He assured that the police are intensifying patrols and intelligence-led operations to dismantle criminal gangs operating under the “one-chance” scheme and other highway robbery tactics.
The command added that all suspects are currently in custody and will be prosecuted after investigations are concluded.
