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By Akanji Alowolodu, Bauchi
Rafin Tambari community, behind the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Bauchi, on Tuesday, resisted two different robbery attacks by armed robbers and in the process, killed two of the suspected armed robbers through mob action.
A resident of the area who was at the scene, told our correspondent that, the armed robbers met their waterloo while trying to rob a Point of Sale (POS) operator at about 7.30pm.
According to him, “We were just in the Mosque for the Isha’i evening prayers when we heard shout of robbers, robbers, and we all rushed out to see what was happening. We saw people running while the armed robbers were shooting sporadically.”
The resident, who gave his name as Usman, narrated further that,”The residents trooped out and were able to hold one of the robbers, he was mobbed and killed in the process. Another one was mistakenly shot on the leg by his colleagues who mistook him for one of the residents.”
The residents then descended on him, beating to a pulp before the Police personnel arrived and saved him from death but left in a state of coma while he was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for treatment.
Another resident said that the robbery incident was the first in the area considering that there is an active neighbourhood security arrangement in the area.
He however commended the prompt response by the Police, a development he said, demonstrated the alertness of the State Police Command unlike in the past.
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has confirmed the armed robbery attack at Rafin Tambari, a settlement along Bauchi – Jos Road on Tuesday, 18th November, 2025.
Confirming the incidence, the Command PPRO, CSP Mohammed Ahmed Wakil, in a telephone conversation with our Correspondent, stated that, “A distress call was received from a good Samaritan on the 18th November 2035 at about 2000hrs hours. The distress call was received from Rafin Tambari, along the Jos road. That there was an armed robbery attack at Rafin Tambari, in one of the POS shops belonging to one Yahaya Isiaka Adams, a 33 year old man of Rafin Tambari.”
According to him, one Aminu Mohammed Usman, 38 years old of the same address was shot on his right leg. On the strength of that report, the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Police Command, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed the operatives of B Division, GRA to move to the scene where the victim was taken to a ATBUTH for medical attention.”
The Police Spokesperson disclosed that, “The sum of N570,000 was robbed. While on their way, they abandoned N275,000. While two of the armed robbers were attacked by a mob, a mob action happened there. One was confirmed dead by medical Doctors, while the other one is in the state of coma presently. He is still there at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH).”
“One Peugeot -206, black in color, belonging to the armed robbers, with registration number KUJ, 604DF, with chassis number UF82GNF8OG, that is 40286413. Three empty shells of 6.32 ammunitions were recovered. A mobile phone handset was recovered. A knife was recovered. A small bag containing a pistol and a baton were recovered at the scene of crime,” he added.
Ahmed Mohammed Wakil added that, “And the Commissioner of Police has charged the officers in GRA Division to intensify more efforts to arrest the other accomplices that were there for the robbery attack.”
Meanwhile, Traditional leaders in Rafin Tambari community have appealed to the government to empower the local vigilante group to help prevent further intrusion by suspected criminals in the area.
Their call followed an attack on a POS vendor and a provision shop in the community on Tuesday, an incident that led to the death of two of the suspects.
The Village Head of Rafin Tambari, Malam Musa, said that the vigilante group urgently needs mobility and better equipment to respond swiftly to such criminal activities.
He noted that the attack exposed the vulnerability of the poorly equipped vigilantes, as the suspects arrived armed and fired shots to scare residents.
Another community leader, Malam Muhammadu Mamman, also urged the government to intervene and strengthen security in the area.
According to the POS vendor, Yahaya Isiaka, the armed suspects stormed his shop and demanded money, after collecting a bundle of ₦100,000, one of them ordered him out and proceeded to ransack the shop, carting away all the money he had and his phone.
He said the suspects fired shots when residents shouted for help, hitting one Al’amin Muhammad Usman before fleeing.
Community members pursued them, overpowering one of the suspects who was later beaten to death while the other fleeing suspect dropped the stolen money and phone as he ran.
In a separate attempt, another suspect reportedly entered a provision shop owned by Adamu Yahaya, also demanding money, but fled when people raised alarm.
During their escape, one of the criminals mistakenly shot his colleague, thinking he was a community member.
Commandant of the Rafin Tambari Vigilante Group, Musa Nasiru, said the incident occurred around 7:30 pm as residents were returning from evening prayers.
He explained that the suspects arrived in a black Peugeot 206 and parked by the roadside, by the time the vigilantes reached the scene, residents had already subdued one of the assailants.
He added that the Police were promptly notified and evacuated both the corpse and the injured suspect, as well as the vehicle used in the operation.
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