Bauchi Man Nabbed for Stealing School Desks as Community Tightens Security
A man identified as Umar Abubakar has been arrested for allegedly stealing three desks from Yelwan Kundum Primary School in Bauchi Local Government Area.
The Bauchi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) confirmed the arrest, commending community members whose vigilance led to the suspect’s capture.
Permanent Secretary of the board, Abdulmuminu Jibrin, told journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday that security operatives apprehended the suspect last Friday night following a report from the community leaders.
“The arrest of the suspect was made by the security agents after a report from the community leaders. The board is ready to ensure that justice prevails to serve as a deterrent to others,” Jibrin said.
He noted that SUBEB would continue to collaborate with security agencies and community leaders to safeguard public schools from vandalism and theft. Jibrin also warned that anyone caught stealing or destroying educational property would face severe punishment.
Similarly, the Education Secretary of the Bauchi Local Government Education Authority, Talatu Yakubu, praised residents of Yelwan Kundum for their swift action, which led to the suspect’s arrest. She urged other communities to emulate such vigilance, describing it as essential to protecting public assets.
Yakubu also commended officers of the Tafawa Balewa Estate Police outpost for their prompt intervention, which ensured the suspect was taken into custody without delay.
Providing details of the incident, the Village Head of Kundum, Nuhu Idris, said Abubakar, a native of the community, was caught around 9 p.m. while attempting to cart away the desks in a Boxer J5 vehicle.
“One Umar Abubakar, an indigene of the community, came with a Boxer J5 around 9 p.m. and took three desks from the school before he was caught and beaten by the youth. He was later handed over to the police,” Idris said.
The traditional ruler explained that the arrest came after stricter surveillance measures were introduced in response to repeated thefts at the school. He called on the state government to prosecute the suspect to serve as a warning to others involved in similar acts.
