Police arrest four suspected car thieves, recover six vehicles in Abuja

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Police operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Command have arrested four suspected members of a notorious car-snatching syndicate and recovered six stolen vehicles alongside over N15m cash.

The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday.

Adeh noted that the arrests and recoveries were made through coordinated operations by the Gwagwalada and Mabushi Divisions as well as the Command’s Scorpion Squad.

Adeh identified the suspects as an ex-convict, Dalhatu Bashiru; Nwadigo Emmanuel; Uchenna Kalu; and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu. She said Adamu, the alleged principal receiver of the stolen vehicles, was traced to Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, where he was arrested with ₦15,280,000 reportedly meant for the purchase of another batch of stolen cars.

She stated, “The FCT Police Command, acting on credible intelligence and supported by digital forensic reconstruction, arrested four members of a notorious armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate. Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi Divisions recovered three stolen vehicles, while the Command’s Scorpion Squad expanded the investigation, leading to the arrest of additional suspects, the recovery of four more vehicles, and the seizure of over ₦15 million cash.

“The recovered vehicles include: A black Toyota Prado SUV (2008 model), Reg. No. RSH 967 JJ – Jabi Division. A grey KIA Optima (2009 model), Reg. No. RMY 88 AA – Mabushi Division. A grey Toyota Corolla – Gwagwalada Division. A grey Toyota Corolla, Reg. No. JUX 890 AA – Scorpion Squad. An ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light), Reg. No. APR 459 AE – Scorpion Squad. A black Toyota Corolla, Reg. No. 578 AA – Scorpion Squad.”

Adeh added that preliminary investigations revealed that Adamu works closely with an accomplice, Alhaji Abdulkarim Ibrahim, a Nigerien national believed to be responsible for coordinating the resale of stolen vehicles in the Niger Republic.

She, however, said Ibrahim is currently at large.

“Further findings revealed that he works closely with an accomplice, Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim, a citizen and resident of the Niger Republic, who coordinates the resale of stolen vehicles in the Niger Republic.

“He is currently at large, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend him. “All suspects and recovered exhibits are in police custody as investigations continue to track down other fleeing members of the gang, ” the statement said.

Car-snatching syndicates have remained a persistent security challenge across Abuja and its satellite towns, often operating through coordinated networks that move stolen vehicles across state borders and into neighbouring countries, particularly the Niger Republic, where they are resold.

In recent months, the FCT Police Command has intensified intelligence-driven operations, including the deployment of specialised units such as the Scorpion Squad, to curb armed robbery, vehicle theft, and similar crimes.

The latest arrests form part of ongoing efforts by the Command to dismantle organised criminal networks and improve security within the Territory.

The PUNCH journalist, Solomon, has five years experience covering crime, judiciary and defence beats.

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