NSCDC Commandant General's Special Intelligence Squad Busts Car-Snatching Syndicate: 6 Suspects Arrested, 5 Vehicles Recovered, Others At Large

Following reports on interstates car-snatching by a notorious syndicate operating across the Federal Capital Territory, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi, and Plateau States,

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi mni, OFR, ordered a clampdown on the suspected car snatchers.

The CG's Special Intelligence Squad acted on the directive and swung into action with credible intelligence made available by reliable informants.

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.

Preliminary investigation reports revealed that after stealing a vehicle, the syndicates will sell it to crabs 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 our correspondent, the commander of the CG's SIS, Commandant A.S. Dandaura, said 5 shops at Zuba Scrab 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.

"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 an individual identified as "Igbo man in Ugwako."

"He further disclosed that during Ramadan this year, he (Isa) and Ismail visited Sauka to confront Dangwari over unpaid dues, and Ismail directed him to collect stolen vehicles from Dangwari at Sauka Bridge and Airport Bridge, although the deliveries did not materialize. Meanwhile, on the day he was arrested, Ismail had instructed him on the phone to collect a stolen vehicle from Dangwari at Zuba Bridge, where CG's SIS operatives finally apprehended him."

"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:

- Hassan Bukar – Arrested with a stolen Toyota Corolla on April 3, 2026, in Keffi. He confessed to the stealing of over 160 stolen vehicles since 2014 to date, acting as a middleman between thieves and buyers, including Dangwari. Specific sales include a stolen white Corolla LE to Dangwari for ₦900,000, with payments traced to his account.

Adam Musa (aka Yellow) Involved in the purchase and resale of stolen vehicles for two years, including a Honda Civic, Toyota Rav4, Camry, and Sienna. Also implicated in criminal breach of trust involving a vehicle entrusted to him for sale.

Adamu Muhammed-Acted as an intermediary and workshop operator, facilitating sales of stolen vehicles without documentation and retaining commissions from transactions.

-Sahal Aliyu Abdullahi-Purchased and dismantled a stolen Toyota Camry, selling its parts for ₦1.18m without verifying ownership or documentation.

Abubakar Yusuf – Present during the negotiation and payment for the stolen Camry at Amingo Garage, failing to exercise due diligence as a scrap dealer.

Ibrahim Haruna (aka Biggie) – Shopkeeper at Ismai’l Haruna’s premises, where over 200 vehicles were allegedly dismantled. Accused of aiding in the concealment and disposal of stolen property and shielding Ismail from arrest."

Also one Mathew. Atsenga Aondongu of the Konshiaha area in Makurdi is currently at large and also supplied Bukar Hassan with stolen cars from the Benue state axis and its environs.

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.

Similarly, on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at about 1500 hrs, the NSCDC operatives attached to BUA International Cement Factory Okpella, Esoko-east LGA, Edo State, in collaboration with the CG's SIS, arrested 2 suspects inside the BUA Plant Workshop for the theft of four [4] 25-liter jerrycans of hydraulic fluid belonging to the BUA factory. The arrested suspects are as follows:

[1] Name: Goodday Okhagbe

Age: 25 yrs

Tribe: Okpella

Religion: Christian

State: Edo

LGA: Etsako East

Date of arrest: 5/05/26

Place of arrest: Plant workshop

Occupation: Company Employee

Offence: Theft

Location of Arrest: Obu BUA Cement Company

Exhibit Recovered: Four 25-liter Jerrycans of hydraulics.

(2) Name: Monday Previous

Age: 25 yrs

Tribe: Okpella

Religion: Christian

State: Edo

LGA: Etsako East

Date of arrest: 5/05/26

Place of arrest: Plant workshop

Occupation: Company Employee

Offence: Theft

Location of Arrest: Obu BUA Cement Company

Exhibit Recovered: Four 25-liter Jerry's can of hydraulics

In another development, during routine patrol at BUA International Cement Factory, the NSCDC operatives apprehended another 2 suspects named Mainasara Samuel Markus and Sanni Abba. Both were arrested for criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and theft of installed cables at the Line 1 preheater machine. Mainasara, the prime suspect, made voluntary confessions that he vandalized and pulled off the cables: 16 meters and another 2-meter insulated cable, which he later sold to Sanni Abba for ₦20,000.

The NSCDC is hereby reaffirming its commitment to eradicating organized crime and urges the public to report suspicious vehicle transactions and to always demand valid ownership documents before purchase; hence, all suspects would be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to others.

SIGNED:

ACC AFOLABI BABAWALE, Anipr,

NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

NSCDC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.