Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested 15 suspects and recovered 21 stolen vehicles in a series of operations across Abuja.
Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, disclosed the development while briefing journalists on Friday at the command headquarters. He noted that six of the recovered vehicles have been verified and returned to their rightful owners.
One of the arrests was made on April 11, when officers attached to the Central Police Station intercepted a Toyota Camry (1999 model) being driven suspiciously near the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, Central Area. The suspect, Hassan Bukar, attempted to flee but was apprehended after a chase.
Investigations revealed that the vehicle belonged to one Samson Otijede and had been stolen from the Commission’s premises. A bunch of master keys was also recovered from the suspect, who confessed he intended to resell the vehicle in Kaduna.
In a related incident on April 10, a man, Daniel James, reported his 2011 Toyota Camry missing after giving it to his mechanic, Abdulazeez Auwal Salisu. Detectives traced the vehicle to one Alex Lucky Ologhosele in Gwarinpa, who had unknowingly purchased the stolen car. While the car was recovered and Alex arrested, efforts are ongoing to locate the mechanic who remains at large.
Also, the official Hilux vehicle of Engr. Lawal Abdulrasheed from the Ministry of Regional Development was recovered after being taken by his driver, Abubakar Saidu. The Hilux was tracked to Kaduna where the suspect was caught trying to sell it. Another unregistered Hilux was also recovered at the scene.
In another operation on April 28, officers from Life Camp Area Command arrested five suspects attempting to sell a suspicious black Mercedes Benz 4matic E-400. The car was traced to its rightful owner in Lekki, Lagos State. The suspects – Suleiman Idris, Isyaku Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde, and Bello Muyideen – remain in custody.
Commissioner Adewale confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
