Police bust vehicle theft syndicate in Abuja, arrest four suspects

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a vehicle theft syndicate that allegedly specialised in posing as passengers on e-hailing platforms before robbing Bolt and Uber drivers of their vehicles and valuables.

The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this while parading suspects and recovered exhibits at the command headquarters in Abuja on Monday.

Sanusi said the suspects were arrested on July 7, 2026, following credible intelligence by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit.

According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the suspects booked commercial vehicles through e-hailing platforms before attacking the drivers and dispossessing them of their vehicles.

“The suspects operated by posing as regular passengers booking commercial vehicles through e-ride platforms before attacking the drivers, dispossessing them of their vehicles and other valuables,” the CP said.

The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmed Omar, Rizku Asehu and Omar Abubakar.

Sanusi said two stolen vehicles were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The suspects operated by posing as regular passengers booking commercial vehicles through e-ride platforms before attacking the drivers, dispossessing them of their vehicles and other valuables,” the CP said.

The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmed Omar, Rizku Asehu and Omar Abubakar.

Sanusi said two stolen vehicles were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The suspects operated by posing as regular passengers booking commercial vehicles through e-ride platforms before attacking the drivers, dispossessing them of their vehicles and other valuables,” the CP said.

The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Ismail, Ahmed Omar, Rizku Asehu and Omar Abubakar.

Sanusi said two stolen vehicles were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The recovered vehicles included an ash-coloured Toyota RAV4 with registration number YAB 240 DL and a grey Honda Civic with registration number ABC 72 JP.

He said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The police commissioner said the arrest was part of several breakthroughs recorded by the command in its ongoing crackdown on violent crimes across the Federal Capital Territory.

He attributed the successes to intelligence provided by residents, urging members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with timely information.

“The achievements I present to you underscore the importance of partnership with the public and timely intelligence sharing in enhancing our efforts to keep the Federal Capital Territory safe for all residents and visitors alike,” Sanusi said.

He reiterated that security remained a collective responsibility, assuring residents that the command would sustain its offensive against criminal elements operating within and around the FCT.

Sanusi also said his men arrested a suspected kidnapper and alleged logistics supplier to a kidnapping gang behind the July 8 abduction at Yellow House in the Mpape area of Abuja.

The Commissioner of Police, Sanusi, disclosed this while parading suspects at the command headquarters in Abuja on Monday, saying the suspect was arrested during a follow-up investigation into the incident.

Sanusi identified the suspect as Oumar Odunda, a native of Zamfara State, who was apprehended at Gedabri Village in Nasarawa State on July 10 by operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

According to the police commissioner, Odunda was not only a member of the gang that attacked the Mpape community but also served as a major supplier of illicit drugs, logistics and other materials used to sustain kidnapping operations.

“Our investigations have revealed that kidnapping gangs do not operate on weapons and ransom alone. They also rely on a steady supply of illicit drugs, stimulants and logistics to sustain their criminal activities,” Sanusi said.

He added, “During interrogation, the suspect was identified as a major supplier of hard drugs, logistics and other illicit substances, as well as a member of the kidnappers who attacked the Yellow House area in Mpape.”

Sanusi said the suspect subsequently led police operatives to three hideouts used by the gang in Nasarawa State, where a cache of drugs, cash and weapons was recovered.

Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, 25 packs of Tramadol 225mg, packs of Tramadol 100mg, substances suspected to be cocaine and cannabis sativa, cannabis pills, two bottles containing 500 tablets each of a substance identified as Mbazo, a digital weighing scale, two ATM cards, two bags and N250,000 cash.

The CP said the suspect remained in police custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to dismantling kidnapping networks in and around the Federal Capital Territory, urging residents to continue providing timely information to security agencies.

“The achievements I present today underscore the importance of partnership with the public and timely intelligence sharing in enhancing our efforts to keep the Federal Capital Territory safe for all residents and visitors alike,” Sanusi said.