Police nab car theft syndicate, recover N15m in Abuja

Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested members of a suspected notorious car-snatching syndicate and recovered N15 million in Abuja.

Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, disclosed this to journalists on Wednesday at the command headquarters, noting that seven vehicles were also recovered.

He said the arrests were made following credible intelligence and supported by digital forensic reconstruction, which led to the apprehension of four members of the armed robbery and car-snatching gang.

The CP explained that operatives from the Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi divisions recovered three stolen vehicles, while the command’s Scorpion Squad expanded the investigation, arresting additional suspects and recovering four more vehicles, alongside the seizure of over ₦15 million cash.

He listed the recovered vehicles as follows:

A black Toyota Prado SUV, 2008 model, registration number RSH 967 JJ

A grey KIA Optima, 2009 model, registration number RMY 88 AA

A grey Toyota Corolla, registration number JUX 890 AA

An ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light), registration number APR 459 AE

A black Toyota Corolla, registration number XCE 578 AA

He said the suspects arrested include ex-convict Dalhatu Bashiru, Nwadigo Emmanuel, Uchenna Kalu, and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu.

“During the operation, the principal receiver of the stolen vehicles, identified as Alhaji Jazuli Adamu, was arrested in Fagge LGA of Kano State with ₦15,280,000 — the money intended for the latest batch of stolen vehicles,” he said.

CP Dantawaye added that further investigations revealed that the receiver worked closely with an accomplice, Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim, a Niger Republic national, who coordinated the resale of stolen vehicles across the border. The suspect is currently at large, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.

He said the suspects and all recovered exhibits remain in police custody as investigations continue to track down other fleeing gang members.

The police commissioner commended the officers involved for their commitment to securing the FCT and urged vehicle owners to install functional car trackers to aid quick recovery when necessary.

He also encouraged residents to support police operations by providing credible information through the command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938.

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