PICTORIAL: NSCDC Busts Car Theft Syndicate, Arrests 10 Suspects, Recovers Vehicles 

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered and dismantled a notorious interstate car-snatching syndicate allegedly responsible for vandalism, industrial theft, stealing and dismantling hundreds of vehicles across several states in the country.

This was achieved during a major intelligence-led operation ordered by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, through operatives of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’SIS).

A statement by the Corps spokesperson, ACC Babawale Afolabi, on Friday, said the CG’s special squad arrested six key suspects linked to a sophisticated criminal network operating across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau States.

The statement which identified the suspects as Hassan Bukar, Adam Musa, popularly known as “Yellow,” Ibrahim Haruna alias “Biggie,” Adamu Mohammed, Sahal Abdullahi Aliyu and Abubakar Yusuf, said they were apprehended during coordinated raids, while several other members of the syndicate are currently on the run.

The Corps further disclosed that the gang specialised in stealing vehicles from different states of the Federation before selling them to scrap dealers and spare parts merchants, who allegedly dismantled the vehicles to erase traces and frustrate recovery efforts by owners and security agencies.

Investigators revealed that proceeds from the illegal transactions were laundered through cash payments and Point-of-Sale (PoS) terminals to evade detection.

The statement further revealed that the operatives sealed five shops at the Zuba Scrap Market in Abuja, believed to be major hubs for dismantling stolen vehicles.

Among the exhibits recovered was a Toyota Camry allegedly sold for ₦1.15 million after being dismantled into parts.

The statement stressed that the NSCDC would sustain its nationwide crackdown on criminal networks threatening public safety and economic stability.

“Our investigation has expanded significantly, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend all fleeing members of the syndicate,” Afolabi added.

He further stated that one of the arrested suspects, Hassan Bukar, reportedly confessed during interrogation that he had facilitated the sale of more than 160 stolen vehicles since 2014.

Explaining that Bukar acted as a major middleman connecting car thieves with buyers and scrap dealers across northern Nigeria, the statement added that financial records obtained by investigators allegedly linked several suspects to coordinated payments for stolen vehicles.

“Another suspect, Abdulsalam Isa, confessed to acting as a courier for a wanted kingpin identified as Ismail Haruna, also known as “Malam na TK” who remains at large.

“Isa told our investigators that he received instructions to collect stolen vehicles from locations including Sauka Bridge, Airport Bridge and Zuba Bridge in Abuja before his eventual arrest by NSCDC operatives,” the spokesman said.

The NSCDC said evidence gathered so far established a prima facie case of criminal conspiracy, theft, receiving stolen property and aiding criminal gangs against the suspects.

Afolabi listed items recovered from the syndicate to include: Toyota Corolla LE 2003 model, Honda EOD 2004 model, Toyota Corolla CE, Toyota Corolla 1998 model, Honda Accord 2008 model, Eight vehicle documents and

61 vehicle number plates.

Describing the recovery as one of the biggest breakthroughs against organised vehicle theft syndicates in recent times, the statement disclosed further that in a related development, it’s operatives attached to the BUA International Cement Factory in Okpella, Edo State, arrested two company workers for allegedly stealing hydraulic fluids belonging to the factory.

The suspects, identified as Goodday Okhagbe and Monday Previous, both aged 25, were arrested inside the company’s workshop with four 25-litre jerrycans of hydraulic fluid allegedly stolen from the facility.

The Corps also confirmed the arrest of two additional suspects; Mainasara Samuel Markus and Sanni Abba, over alleged vandalism and theft of installed cables at the factory’s Line 1 preheater machine.

According to the statement, Mainasara confessed to vandalising and removing about 18 metres of insulated cables which he later sold to Sanni Abba for ₦20,000.

The NSCDC reaffirmed its commitment to crushing organised crime nationwide and warned Nigerians against purchasing vehicles without proper ownership documents.

“All suspects will be charged to court to serve as a deterrent to others involved in criminal activities,” the agency stated.

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