Commissioner of Police, CP, on the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Ajao Adewale, said Friday that operatives of the command arrested no fewer than 15 suspected car thieves and recovered 21 stolen vehicles.
Adewale, who addressed journalists at the command headquarters, said out of the recovered vehicles, six have been returned to their rightful owners after due verification.
He explained that operatives of the command attached to Central Police Station, CPS on April 11, while on routine patrol around the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission, Central Area, intercepted a Toyota Camry 1999 model being driven suspiciously by 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.
Preliminary investigation, according to the commissioner, revealed that the vehicle was stolen from the premises of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission and belonged to 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.
He added that a bunch of master keys used for car theft were recovered from the suspect.
“The suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigation,” he said.
Similarly, the commissioner said on April 10, Daniel James of Churchgate Tower, Central Business District reported at Central Police Station that his Toyota Camry 2011 model handed over to his mechanic, Abdulazeez Salisu was stolen.
After several failed attempts to reach Salisu and retrieve his vehicle, James reported the matter to the police.
“Detectives from Central Police Station swung into action and traced the vehicle to 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, Engr Lawal Abdulrasheed of the Ministry of Regional Development 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, 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 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,” he said.
The commissioner also stated that on April 28, operatives attached to Life Camp Area Command responded to a report from a car buyer in Life Camp over a suspicious black colour 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 to court on conclusion of investigation,” he said.
