The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismantled a suspected car-snatching syndicate operating across Abuja, arresting four members of the group and recovering more than ₦15 million in cash.
The Commissioner of Police, Miller G. Dantawaye, announced the breakthrough on Wednesday at the command headquarters. He revealed that officers also recovered seven stolen vehicles linked to the gang.
According to Dantawaye, the arrests followed actionable intelligence enhanced by digital forensic tracking. Officers from the Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi divisions first intercepted three stolen vehicles, after which the command’s Scorpion Squad widened the probe, leading to additional arrests and the recovery of four more vehicles.
Vehicles recovered during the operation include:
- Black Toyota Prado SUV (2008) – RSH 967 JJ
- Grey KIA Optima (2009) – RMY 88 AA
- Grey Toyota Corolla – JUX 890 AA
- Ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light) – APR 459 AE
- Black Toyota Corolla – XCE 578 AA
The CP identified the arrested suspects as ex-convict Dalhatu Bashiru, Nwadigo Emmanuel, Uchenna Kalu, and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu.
He explained that Adamu, believed to be the chief buyer of the stolen vehicles, was tracked down and arrested in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State with ₦15,280,000 — the money he allegedly intended to pay for a fresh consignment of stolen cars.
Further investigation, he said, uncovered Adamu’s link to another key player, Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim from Niger Republic, who is accused of arranging cross-border disposal of the stolen vehicles. Ibrahim is currently on the run, with police efforts ongoing to locate him.
All suspects and recovered exhibits are in custody, while the search for remaining gang members continues.
CP Dantawaye praised officers for their efforts and advised car owners to install reliable trackers to aid rapid recovery in cases of theft. He also urged residents to volunteer credible information through the command’s emergency numbers: 08032003913 and 08061581938.
