FCT Police busts notorious car- snatching gang, recover 6 vehicles, over N15m cash

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Police operatives in FCT have arrested four members of a notorious gang of car-snatching syndicate with recovery of seven stolen vehicles and N15 million.

SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT Police Command revealed this in a statement on Tuesday said the suspects were arrested with the aide of credible intelligence and digital forensic reconstruction in Abuja.

According to the statement, three of the vehicles were recovered by Jabi, Gwagwalada and Mabushi Divisions while the Command’s Scorpion Squad subsequently expanded the investigation, leading to the arrest of additional suspects, recovery of more vehicles, and the seizure of over ₦15 million cash.

Adeh listed the recovered vehicles to include include: a black Toyota Prado SUV, 2008 model, Reg. No: RSH 967 JJ, recovered by Jabi Division; a grey KIA Optima, 2009 model, Reg. No: RMY 88 AA, recovered by Mabushi Division; a grey Toyota Corolla, recovered by Gwagwalada Division; a grey Toyota Corolla, Reg. No: JUX 890 AA, recovered by the Scorpion Squad; ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light), Reg. No: APR 459 AE, recovered by the Scorpion Squad and a black Toyota Corolla, Reg. No: 578 AA, recovered by the Scorpion Squad.

According to the statement, the investigations by police operatives led to the arrest of four members of the car-snatching syndicate identified as Dalhatu Bashiru (an ex-convict), Nwadigo Emmanuel, Uchenna Kalu, and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu

Also, the principal receiver of the stolen cars, Alhaji Jazuli Adamu, was arrested in Fagge LGA of Kano State with ₦15,280,000 (Fifteen Million, Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira), money intended for the latest batch of stolen vehicles.

Adeh added that further findings revealed that Adamu 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 Niger Republic.

She added that the Nigerien 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 Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, psc, commended the officers for their dedication to securing the FCT. He urged vehicle owners to install functional car trackers to aid quick recovery when necessary and encouraged residents to support police operations by providing credible information,” through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938,” the FCT Police Command spokesperson said.