The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a notorious car-snatching syndicate, recovering six stolen vehicles and over ₦15 million in cash.
Spokesperson Josephine Adeh disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that the arrests were made through coordinated operations by the Gwagwalada and Mabushi Divisions, alongside the Command’s Scorpion Squad.
Adeh identified the suspects as ex-convict Dalhatu Bashiru, Nwadigo Emmanuel, Uchenna Kalu, and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu. Adamu, allegedly the 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 intended for purchasing additional stolen cars.
“The FCT Police Command, acting on credible intelligence and supported by digital forensic analysis, arrested four members of a notorious armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate,” Adeh said. “Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi Divisions recovered three stolen vehicles, while the 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 in cash.”
The recovered vehicles include:
Black Toyota Prado SUV (2008), Reg. No. RSH 967 JJ – Jabi Division
Grey KIA Optima (2009), Reg. No. RMY 88 AA – Mabushi Division
Grey Toyota Corolla – Gwagwalada Division
Grey Toyota Corolla, Reg. No. JUX 890 AA – Scorpion Squad
Ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light), Reg. No. APR 459 AE – Scorpion Squad
Black Toyota Corolla, Reg. No. 578 AA – Scorpion Squad
Preliminary investigations revealed that Adamu works closely with Alhaji Abdulkarim Ibrahim, a Nigerien national reportedly responsible for coordinating the resale of stolen vehicles in the Niger Republic.
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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.
