Police arrest six over ₦109.5m gold theft in Kebbi
Detectives of the Kebbi State Police Command have arrested six suspects concerning the theft of gold ornaments valued at over ₦109.5 million in Ka’oje town, Bagudo Local Government Area of the state.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by the command’s spokesperson, Nafiu Abubakar, the arrests followed a complaint lodged on September 4, 2025, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Birnin Kebbi.
The case has generated wide public interest in Kebbi and beyond, not only because of the staggering value of the stolen gold but also due to the involvement of a serving officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service in the crime.
Analysts say this raises fresh concerns about the infiltration of criminal tendencies into security institutions and the urgent need for stronger oversight.
According to the statement, “Investigations revealed that sometime between 2024 and 2025, unknown persons broke into the residence of one Hajiya Rabi of Ka’oje and carted away five gold necklaces, nine bangles, and four rings weighing 782.7 grams.
“The items belonged to her daughter, Hajiya Amina Hassan Bello, and other siblings.
“Acting on intelligence, police operatives arrested Ibrahim Abubakar, an officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service, who confessed to the crime.
“Abubakar reportedly sold the stolen items to buyers identified as Sa’adu Ibrahim Darhami and Hamza Ahmad, both from Sokoto State; Nasiru Sani of Birnin Kebbi; and Tasi’u Umar of Zauro town, Birnin Kebbi LGA.
The PPRO said further investigations revealed that Abubakar was assisted by one Ibrahim Usman Oroji, who helped dispose of some of the ornaments and collected ₦2.5 million as his share.
He said another accomplice, Mustapha Hassan, allegedly aided in concealing the proceeds by facilitating the purchase of two plots of land in Birnin Kebbi metropolis.
“Exhibits so far recovered include two golden bangles, a Haojue motorcycle, an iPhone 16, a Samsung Galaxy Ultra, and a Samsung Flip phone.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police for Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, praised the SCID team for their professionalism and intelligence-led operations.
He assured that efforts were ongoing to track down other accomplices and recover more stolen property.
Observers say the successful operation highlights both the growing sophistication of criminal syndicates dealing in stolen jewellery and the importance of intelligence-driven policing in such crimes.
Gold ornaments remain a prized form of wealth storage in northern Nigeria, often passed down as family heirlooms, making their theft not only a financial blow but also an emotional one for victims.
The development has once again placed security agencies in the spotlight, with civil society groups urging stronger inter-agency collaboration, especially in monitoring personnel to prevent abuse of trust.
“The police must sustain this momentum to send a clear message that crime, no matter who is involved, will not go unpunished,” Sani stated, adding that the command remains committed to ensuring safety and security across Kebbi State.
