The Nigeria Police Force has dismantled a suspected car theft syndicate in Kaduna State. Three suspects were arrested, while ten stolen vehicles were recovered during the operation.
The operation, which was carried out on March 16, 2026, was led by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS).
Notably, one of the suspects was identified as a dismissed Army corporal who allegedly used his past position to evade suspicion.
According to police authorities, the suspect had been impersonating a serving soldier while carrying out criminal activities.
Anthony Placid, the command’s spokesman, confirmed the arrests while addressing journalists in Abuja. He identified the suspects as Abubakar Musa (36), Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20). He also highlighted the scale and coordination of the operation.
“The Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS), has recorded a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of three (3) notorious armed robbery suspects and the recovery of ten (10) stolen vehicles in Kaduna State,” he said.
Furthermore, Placid revealed that the alleged mastermind had a history within the military. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Abubakar Musa, is a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army who has been impersonating a serving soldier to evade detection while carrying out armed robbery operations with his accomplices,” he added.
Investigations also showed that the syndicate specialised in stealing vehicles and altering their identities. In addition, registration numbers were often removed to make tracking difficult. This method reportedly allowed them to operate undetected for some time.
“The operation led to the recovery of ten (10) 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 of the vehicles found without registration numbers,” Placid explained.
Meanwhile, efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the group who managed to escape. Authorities have assured the public that more arrests are expected as investigations continue.
However, security experts say the case highlights the need for stronger vehicle registration systems and improved intelligence sharing.
The Nigeria Police Force has reiterated its commitment to tackling crime nationwide. Therefore, citizens are encouraged to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing timely and credible information.
