Ex-soldier Nabbed In Car-theft Ring As Police Recover 10 Stolen Vehicles
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force had arrested three notorious armed robbery suspects and recovered ten stolen vehicles in Kaduna State.
Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, the Police Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, said the breakthrough was achieved through the efforts of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).
According to him, the suspects—Abubakar Musa (36), Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20)—were apprehended on 16 March 2026 in Kaduna State.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Abubakar Musa, is a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army who had been impersonating a serving soldier to evade detection while carrying out armed robbery operations with his accomplices.
Further findings indicate that the syndicate specialized in the theft and trafficking of stolen vehicles, often removing or altering registration details to conceal their identity and ownership.
The operation led to the recovery of ten vehicles of various brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda vehicle, a Lexus car, and a Toyota RAV4 SUV, with several recovered without registration numbers.
Placid said investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
