In a significant operation, the police in Zone 10, Sokoto State, successfully apprehended a car theft gang and reclaimed four stolen vehicles.
This gang had gained notoriety for their involvement in car thefts from car parks, driveways, and various public areas.
Mr. Bubakar Daura, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 10, disclosed this notable achievement in an official statement provided to the media by ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Sokoto Police Command, on Wednesday.
According to AIG Daura, the police acted upon a tip-off about the gang’s criminal activities and initiated a comprehensive investigation. Following several weeks of surveillance, law enforcement officers conducted a well-planned raid on the gang’s hideout, resulting in the arrest of its members.
In addition to apprehending the suspects, the police successfully recovered four stolen vehicles from the gang’s hideout. The vehicles retrieved were identified as a Toyota Camry, a Honda Accord, a Hyundai Sonata, and a Kia Optima.
AIG Daura underscored that the police had effectively apprehended all three members of the suspected gang specializing in car theft.
He stated, “This operation was conducted with the active cooperation of citizens from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, effectively putting an end to the reign of terror caused by the gang.”
Furthermore, AIG Daura revealed that the syndicate had been actively involved in the theft of various car models within the three states, subsequently selling them both within Nigeria and in neighboring countries.
The operation also led to the identification and apprehension of one Muttaka Muhammad, a 29-year-old resident of Zauro town. Further investigations resulted in the recovery of four stolen vehicles in Kebbi and Sokoto and the arrest of two additional gang members.
The other detainees were identified as Kasimu Muhammad, 33, from the Dukki area, and Haliru Musa, 35, from the Baiti Area, both hailing from Kebbi State.
AIG Daura urged individuals who may have fallen victim to car theft to come forward with evidence of ownership for verification and recovery of their vehicles at the Zone 10 office.