Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have arrested at least 15 suspected car thieves and recovered 21 stolen vehicles, it was learnt on Friday.
FCT Commissioner of Police (CP) Ajao Adewale, who addressed reporters at the command headquarters, said out of the recovered vehicles, six have been returned to their rightful owners after due verification.
Adewale explained that operatives of the command attached to Central Police Station (CPS) on April 11, while on routine patrol around the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission, Central Area, intercepted a Toyota Camry 1999 model being driven suspiciously by one Hassan Bukar.
The CP noted that upon sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to evade arrest but was promptly given a hot chase and was subsequently arrested.
A preliminary investigation, according to the CP, revealed that the vehicle was stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission and belonged to one Samson Otijede.
“The suspect confessed to having removed the vehicle with the intention of reselling it to his usual buyer in Kaduna State,” he stated.
The CP added that a bunch of master keys used for car theft were recovered from him.
Similarly, the CP said that on April 10, 2025, one Daniel James of Churchgate Tower, Central Business District Abuja, reported at Central Police Station that his Toyota Camry 2011 model handed over to his mechanic, one Abdulazeez Auwal Salisu, was stolen.
After several failed attempts to reach Abdulazeez and retrieve his vehicle, James reported the matter to the Police.
“Detectives from the Central Police Station swung into action and traced the vehicle to one Alex Lucky Ologhosele in Gwarinpa, who had purchased the stolen vehicle from the said mechanic.
“The suspect was apprehended and the vehicle was recovered. Efforts are still ongoing to arrest Abdulazeez who is currently at large,” the CP said.
In another development, one Engr. Lawal Abdulrasheed of the Ministry of Regional Development, Abuja, reported at Central Police Station that his official Hilux vehicle, white in color with Reg. No. KWL 615 DP, was driven away by his official driver, one Abubakar Sadio.
“In a coordinated operation, Police operatives tracked the stolen vehicle to Kaduna State, where it was recovered in the possession of the said Abubakar Saidu who was attempting to sell it.
“Another Toyota Hilux without registration number was also recovered at the scene. The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the CP said.
The CP also stated that on April 28, 2025, operatives attached to Life Camp Area Command responded to a report from a car buyer in Life Camp over a suspicious black colored Mercedes Benz 4matic E-400 with Reg. No. AAA 07 KA, which was about to be sold to him by five persons.
“Police detectives were promptly dispatched to the scene.
“Five suspects including: Suleiman Idris, Isyaku Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde and Bello Muyideen were arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was stolen from its original owner in Lekki, Lagos State.
“The vehicle was recovered, and the suspects are in custody. They will be charged in court at the conclusion of investigations,” he said.
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