Six Arrested in Kebbi Over ₦109.5 Million Gold Theft

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including a serving Nigerian Correctional Service officer, in connection with the theft of gold ornaments valued at over ₦109.5 million from a residence in Ka’oje town, Bagudo Local Government Area.

The suspects were apprehended following a complaint lodged at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Birnin Kebbi on September 4, 2025. Investigations revealed that the stolen gold, weighing 782.7 grams, was sold to buyers in Sokoto State and Birnin Kebbi.

The arrested suspects include Ibrahim Abubakar, a Nigerian Correctional Service officer who confessed to the crime; Sa’adu Ibrahim Darhami and Hamza Ahmad, buyers of stolen gold from Sokoto State; Nasiru Sani, a resident of Birnin Kebbi involved in purchasing stolen gold; Tasi’u Umar, from Zauro town, Birnin Kebbi LGA; and Ibrahim Usman Oroji, who assisted in disposing of some stolen items and received ₦2.5 million as his share.

The police recovered two golden bangles, a Haojue motorcycle, an iPhone 16, a Samsung Galaxy Ultra, and a Samsung Flip phone from the suspects. Commissioner of Police Bello M. Sani commended the SCID team for their professionalism and intelligence-led operations, assuring that efforts are ongoing to track down other accomplices and recover more stolen property.

This incident raises concerns about the infiltration of criminal tendencies into security institutions and the need for stronger oversight.

Gold ornaments hold significant cultural and financial value in northern Nigeria, making their theft a substantial loss for victims.