By Dr Nafisat Makinde
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has smashed a notorious car-snatching and armed robbery syndicate, arresting four suspects and recovering six stolen vehicles along with ₦15.28 million in cash.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence and digital forensic reconstruction.
Operatives from Jabi, Gwagwalada and Mabushi divisions first recovered three of the stolen vehicles.
The Command’s Scorpion Squad later expanded the operation, arresting additional suspects in Abuja and Kano, recovering three more vehicles and seizing ₦15.28 million from the syndicate’s principal receiver.
The arrested suspects are Dalhatu Bashiru, an ex-convict; Nwadigo Emmanuel; Uchenna Kalu; and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu. Adamu was apprehended in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State with the cash, which was meant for the purchase of a fresh batch of stolen vehicles.
Investigations revealed that Adamu collaborated with Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim, a Niger Republic national who coordinates the resale of the stolen cars across the border. Ibrahim is still at large.
The recovered vehicles are a 2008 Toyota Prado, a 2009 KIA Optima, and four Toyota Corolla and Camry models.
Commissioner of Police Miller G. Dantawaye praised the officers and urged vehicle owners to install functional trackers while appealing to the public to volunteer useful information through the Command’s emergency lines.
The suspects and exhibits remain in custody as the police hunt for other fleeing members of the gang.
