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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 34-year-old man over an alleged fake bank alert fraud involving electronic appliances worth ₦3 million, recovering all the stolen items after extending its investigation to Jos, Plateau State.
The suspect, identified as Alex T. Bwacha, was allegedly working with another man, Bako Akin, who is currently at large. According to the police, the two men reportedly posed as genuine customers at a shop in Bauchi before collecting several electronic appliances after presenting a fake bank payment alert.
The Bauchi State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday, November 7, 2026. He said the operation followed a complaint by a 65-year-old businessman residing in New GRA, Bauchi, who reported that he had been defrauded.
The police said detectives attached to the ‘B’ Division, GRA, launched an investigation after receiving the complaint. Their efforts led to Bwacha’s arrest and the recovery of some of the stolen property. The investigation was subsequently extended to Jos, where officers recovered the remaining items.
The command confirmed that all the electronic appliances had been recovered, while the arrested suspect remained in police custody. Police operatives are still working to apprehend the alleged accomplice who fled. Tribune Online+2
How the alleged ₦3 million fake alert fraud happened
According to the police account, the incident occurred on October 26, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m. Bwacha and his alleged accomplice reportedly visited the businessman’s shop at Fire Service Junction in Bauchi, pretending to be customers interested in purchasing electronic appliances.
The suspects allegedly selected several items with a combined value of ₦3 million. After making their selections, they reportedly sent a bank alert to the trader as evidence that payment had been made.
The businessman allegedly accepted the payment notification and released the goods. The suspects subsequently left the shop with the appliances and disappeared.
The police said the transaction later became the subject of a complaint after the businessman discovered that the payment notification was fraudulent. He reported the incident at the ‘B’ Division Police Station on October 30, four days after the alleged transaction.
The case was then assigned to detectives, who began investigating the circumstances surrounding the transaction and tracking the suspects.
The police identified Bwacha, a resident of Gombe State, as the principal suspect arrested in connection with the incident. His alleged accomplice, Akin, was described as being from Jos, Plateau State, and remains at large.
The command has not announced the arrest of the second suspect. It said efforts were continuing to locate him and bring him before the appropriate authorities. Tribune Online+1
Full list of electronic appliances recovered by police
The stolen goods comprised several household electronic appliances that the suspects allegedly collected after presenting the fake payment notification.
The Bauchi State Police Command listed the recovered items as follows:
- One Hisense 50-inch television.
- One Hisense 58-inch television.
- One TCL 43-inch television.
- One Hisense sound bar.
- Two Hisense air conditioners.
- One LCT home theatre.
The appliances were valued at approximately ₦3 million, according to the police statement.
Following Bwacha’s arrest, detectives initially recovered some of the items from him. Investigators then extended their operation to Jos, where they located and recovered the remaining appliances.
The police confirmed that the entire collection had been recovered. This means the investigation resulted in the return of all the goods reported stolen in the alleged transaction, although the command has not provided further details about where each item was found or the exact circumstances of the recovery.
The recovery is significant for the affected businessman, who faced the loss of valuable merchandise after the alleged fraudulent transaction. It also demonstrates how a complaint about a suspected fake bank alert can lead to investigations beyond the location where the transaction occurred.
Police intensify search for fleeing accomplice
Although the police have arrested Bwacha and recovered the electronic appliances, the investigation remains ongoing because the second suspect has not been apprehended.
The command said Akin was still at large and that efforts were being intensified to arrest him. The police did not disclose his current whereabouts or provide a specific timeline for his arrest.
The arrested suspect remains in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations. According to Habib, he will be charged in court after the investigation is completed.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives involved in the operation for their response and professionalism. He also warned individuals against using fake bank alerts and other fraudulent methods to obtain goods from traders.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting businesses, investigating reported crimes and pursuing individuals suspected of defrauding members of the public.
The police also encouraged residents and business owners to report suspicious transactions and other criminal activities to the nearest police station. Tribune Online+1
Fake bank alerts remain a concern for Nigerian businesses
The Bauchi incident highlights a common risk associated with electronic payments in Nigeria: the possibility of fraudsters presenting false transaction notifications to convince sellers that money has been transferred.
In a typical fake bank alert scheme, a fraudster may present a notification that appears to show a successful transfer. The seller may then release goods or provide services without confirming that the money has actually entered the receiving account.
The notification may resemble a genuine bank message, making it difficult for a trader who relies only on the alert to establish whether the transaction is legitimate.
For businesses that sell televisions, air conditioners, phones, computers and other expensive products, the consequences can be significant. A single fraudulent transaction involving several items can result in losses worth millions of naira.
The incident in Bauchi also illustrates why traders should distinguish between receiving a payment notification and confirming that funds have been credited to their accounts.
A message displayed on a customer’s phone or sent through another channel should not be treated as conclusive proof of payment. Business owners should independently check their account balance and transaction history through their bank’s official application, online banking service or other verified banking channels.
Where a transfer is delayed or its status is unclear, traders should contact their banks before releasing the goods. They should also avoid allowing customers to pressure them into completing transactions before payment is confirmed.
Practical steps traders can take to avoid fake transfer alerts
The Bauchi State Police Command specifically advised business owners to confirm payments directly through their banks before handing over purchased items.
This precaution is particularly important for businesses handling high-value transactions. Traders can reduce their exposure to payment fraud by establishing clear procedures that employees must follow whenever customers pay electronically.
First, sellers should check their own bank accounts rather than relying on screenshots, SMS messages or notifications displayed by customers. The account receiving the payment is the most appropriate place to verify whether the transaction has been completed.
Second, businesses should avoid releasing goods based solely on a transaction receipt presented by a buyer. A receipt or transfer confirmation may indicate that a transaction was initiated, but it does not necessarily establish that the money has been successfully credited.
Third, traders should verify the transaction amount, account details and payment status before completing a sale. If the credited amount does not match the purchase price, the goods should not be released until the discrepancy is resolved.
Businesses with multiple employees should also ensure that everyone involved in sales understands the payment verification process. A consistent procedure can prevent situations in which one staff member accepts an unverified notification and releases valuable stock.
For large transactions, direct confirmation through the bank is particularly important. Traders should retain relevant transaction records and report suspected fraud promptly so that law enforcement agencies can investigate.
These precautions do not guarantee that every fraudulent attempt will be prevented, but they can help businesses avoid depending on payment notifications that have not been independently verified.
What the Bauchi arrest means for the ongoing investigation
The arrest of Bwacha and recovery of the appliances represent major developments in the case reported by the 65-year-old businessman. However, the police have not concluded the investigation or announced a court outcome.
The alleged accomplice remains wanted, and investigators are expected to establish the full circumstances surrounding the transaction before the suspect is charged.
It is also important to distinguish between an arrest and a conviction. Bwacha is a suspect, and the allegations against him will be subject to the applicable legal process. The police have said he will be charged after the investigation is completed.
For the businessman, the recovery of all the appliances provides an important development after the reported loss. For other traders, the incident serves as a reminder to verify electronic payments before releasing merchandise.
The Bauchi State Police Command has maintained that it will continue efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect and investigate fraudulent activities targeting businesses.
The case began with an alleged purchase of electronic appliances worth ₦3 million at Fire Service Junction, Bauchi, but the subsequent investigation extended to Jos, where the remaining goods were recovered.
As the police continue their search for Akin, the command has urged business owners to confirm every electronic payment directly with their banks and report suspicious transactions without delay.
For more Nigerian crime, security and business updates, visit BusinessTech.ng and follow official announcements from the Nigeria Police Force.
