By Peter.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dealt a major blow to a notorious car-snatching syndicate, arresting four suspects and recovering six stolen vehicles along with over ₦15 million in cash intended for illicit deals. The operation, announced on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, highlights the command’s intensified crackdown on organized vehicle theft networks plaguing Abuja and its environs.
The Bust: Coordinated Raids Across Divisions
Spokesperson Josephine Adeh detailed the arrests in a statement, crediting intelligence-led efforts by the Gwagwalada and Mabushi Divisions, alongside the elite Scorpion Squad. The suspects include:
- Dalhatu Bashiru: An ex-convict identified as a key operative.
- Nwadigo Emmanuel and Uchenna Kalu: Alleged syndicate members involved in the snatches.
- Alhaji Jazuli Adamu: The principal receiver, nabbed in Fagge LGA, Kano State, with ₦15,280,000 earmarked for another batch of stolen cars.
Preliminary probes reveal the group operated a cross-border pipeline, reselling vehicles in the Niger Republic through an accomplice, Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim (Nigerien national, currently at large). All suspects and exhibits are in custody at FCT Police HQ, with manhunts ongoing for fleeing members.
Recovered Loot: 6 Vehicles and ₦15M Cash Haul
The raids yielded three vehicles from Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi Divisions, plus four more from the Scorpion Squad:
- Black Toyota Prado SUV (2008, Reg. No. RSH 967 JJ) – Jabi Division.
- Grey Kia Optima (2009, Reg. No. RMY 88 AA) – Mabushi Division.
- Grey Toyota Corolla – Gwagwalada Division.
- Grey Toyota Corolla (Reg. No. JUX 890 AA) – Scorpion Squad.
- Ash-coloured Toyota Camry “Pencil Light” (Reg. No. APR 459 AE) – Scorpion Squad.
- Black Toyota Corolla (Reg. No. 578 AA) – Scorpion Squad.
The cash seizure underscores the syndicate’s lucrative ops, with digital forensics tracing funds to Niger Republic resale networks.
Broader Context: Abuja’s Car Theft Epidemic
Vehicle snatching remains a scourge in the FCT, with syndicates using high-caliber arms to hijack cars in traffic, then smuggling them via porous borders to West African black markets. Recent months saw a spike in incidents, prompting CP Bennett Igwe’s “zero tolerance” directive and Scorpion Squad deployments. This bust follows similar successes in October, recovering 12 vehicles worth ₦300 million.
X is buzzing: “FCT Police on fire—₦15M cash? That’s syndicate payroll” [post:0]. Victims rejoice: “My stolen Corolla back? Game-changer” [post:1]. Critics: “Borders still leak—Niger Republic hub needs sealing” [post:2].
Kudos to FCT Police—dismantling these rings saves lives and livelihoods. Stay vigilant, Abuja drivers. Your take on beefing up border tech? Drop below. 🚔🚗 #FTCPoliceBust #CarSnatchingSyndicate #AbujaSecurity
