NSCDC Busts Car Theft Syndicate, Arrests 6 Suspects, Recovers Vehicles

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has uncovered an interstate car-snatching syndicate operating across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states, leading to the arrest of six suspects and the recovery of five vehicles.

The operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) following a directive by the Commandant General of the Corps, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, after reports of increasing incidents of interstate vehicle theft.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the NSCDC National Public Relations Officer, ACC Afolabi Babawale, operatives of the CG’s SIS acted on credible intelligence provided by informants and conducted what he described as a “strenuous but successful operation” that led to the arrest of Hassan Bukar, Adam Musa alias Yellow, Ibrahim Haruna alias Biggie, Adamu Mohammed, Sahal Abdullahi Aliyu and Abubakar Yusuf, while other members of the syndicate remain at large.

Investigations revealed that the syndicate specialised in stealing vehicles and selling them to scrap dealers and spare parts merchants who dismantled the vehicles to erase traces and resold the parts to unsuspecting buyers. The statement added that proceeds from the transactions were laundered through cash payments and Point of Sale transfers to avoid detection.

Commander of the CG’s SIS, Commandant A.S. Dandaura, disclosed that five shops at the Zuba Scrap Market in Abuja had been sealed and marked as exhibits in connection with the investigation. He added that operatives also recovered a dismantled Toyota Camry allegedly sold for N1.15 million.

Dandaura said the Corps had intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks threatening public safety nationwide and had expanded investigations to track down fleeing members of the syndicate.

According to the NSCDC, one Abdulsalam Isa confessed during interrogation to serving as a courier for a suspected syndicate leader identified as Ismail Haruna, also known as “Malam na TK,” who is currently at large. Investigators said Isa admitted collecting stolen vehicles from various suppliers, including suspects based in Gwagwalada and other locations within the FCT.

The Corps also disclosed that financial records obtained during the investigation showed regular transactions between Isa and Ismail Haruna, allegedly confirming payment channels linked to stolen vehicle operations.

Among the suspects, Hassan Bukar was alleged to have confessed to facilitating the sale of more than 160 stolen vehicles since 2014. The NSCDC said Bukar acted as a middleman between vehicle thieves and buyers and admitted selling stolen vehicles, including a white Toyota Corolla LE allegedly sold for N900,000.

Adam Musa, popularly known as Yellow, was accused of purchasing and reselling stolen vehicles, including Honda Civic, Toyota Rav4, Camry and Sienna models, while Adamu Mohammed allegedly operated as an intermediary and workshop owner facilitating undocumented vehicle transactions.

Another suspect, Sahal Aliyu Abdullahi, was accused of purchasing and dismantling a stolen Toyota Camry before selling the parts for N1.18 million, while Abubakar Yusuf was said to have participated in negotiations and payment arrangements for the stolen vehicle.

The NSCDC further accused Ibrahim Haruna, alias Biggie, of assisting in concealing and dismantling stolen vehicles at premises allegedly linked to Ismail Haruna, where investigators claimed more than 200 vehicles had been dismantled over time.

The Corps also declared one Mathew Atsenga Aondongu of Konshisha area in Makurdi wanted for allegedly supplying stolen vehicles from Benue State and surrounding areas.

Items recovered from the suspects included five vehicles, eight vehicle particulars and 61 different vehicle licence plates.

In a related development, NSCDC operatives attached to BUA Group International Cement Factory in Okpella, Edo State, in collaboration with the CG’s SIS, arrested two company employees over the alleged theft of four 25-litre jerrycans of hydraulic fluid belonging to the factory.

The suspects, identified as Goodday Okhagbe and Monday Previous, were apprehended inside the plant workshop on May 5, according to the statement.

The Corps also announced the arrest of two additional suspects, Mainasara Samuel Markus and Sanni Abba, during a routine patrol at the factory over alleged vandalism and theft of installed cables at the Line 1 preheater machine.

The prime suspect, Markus, was said to have confessed to vandalising and removing 16 metres and an additional two metres of insulated cable, which he allegedly sold to Sanni Abba for N20,000.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to combating organised crime and urged members of the public to report suspicious vehicle transactions and always demand valid ownership documents before purchasing vehicles.

The Corps said all suspects would be prosecuted in courts of competent jurisdiction.

By PRNigeria