The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC has clamp down on the suspected car snatching syndicate operating across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states.
The arrest followed an intelligence report gathered by the Corps’ special intelligence squad on the directive of the Commandant General, Professor Ahmed Audi.
Parading the suspects before journalists in Abuja, the National public Relations Officer of the Corps. Afolabi Babawale noted that the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad acted on the directive and swung into action with credible intelligence made available by reliable informants during which 6 suspects were arrested.
“In a very strenuous but successful operation, the CG’SIS arrested 6 suspects, namely Hassan Bukar; Adam Musa, also known as Yellow; Ibrahim Haruna, a.k.a. Biggie; Adamu Mohammed; Sahal Abdullahi Aliyu; and Abubakar Yusuf, while others are at large,” he stated.
He informed newsmen that Preliminary investigation reports revealed that after stealing a vehicle, the syndicates sell it to scraps and vehicle spare parts dealers, who in turn butcher the stolen vehicles and remove parts of the vehicles for sale so as to erase traces by the owners and then sell them to would-be buyers while their transactions are laundered through the proceeds, either cash or PoS transfers, to avoid being caught.
Responding to journalists, the commander of the CG’s SIS, Commandant A.S. Dandaura, said 5 shops at Zuba Scrap Market have been sealed and marked as exhibits, alongside an already dismantled Toyota Camry car sold for ₦1.15 million.
Commandant Dandaura relayed that the CG NSCDC will continue his discreet crackdown on criminal networks threatening public safety across the nation, noting that the NSCDC has expanded its investigation to catch up with those syndicate members at large.
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“Findings from Abdulsalam Isa in his statement admitted to acting as a courier for Ismail Haruna, a.k.a. Malam na TK, currently at large. He confirmed collecting vehicles from multiple suppliers, including one Mohammed in Gwagwalada and another individual identified as “Igbo man in Ugwako.”
“Financial evidence obtained during the investigation shows regular transactions between Abdulsalam and one Ismail Haruna confirming payment channels for stolen vehicles. Directly linking Ismail to receiving, coordination, and disposal of vehicles supplied by Dangwari and Hassan.
“Based on evidence and confessions, a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, theft, belonging to a gang of brigands, dishonestly receiving stolen property, and assisting in the concealment of stolen property has been established against the following suspects under Sections 96, 286, 305, and 318 of the Penal Code:
EXHIBITS RECOVERED:
1. TOYOTA COROLLA LE 2003
2. HONDA EOD 2004 MODEL
3. TOYOTA COROLLA CE
4. TOYOTA COROLLA 1998 MODEL
5. HONDA ACCORD 2008
6. Eight [8] different vehicle particulars
7. Sixty-one [61] different vehicle license plates.
The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating organised crime and urged the public to report suspicious vehicle transactions and to always demand valid ownership documents before purchase;
“All suspects would be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to others. “
