Police uncover car theft syndicate, recover stolen vehicles
Abdullateef Fowewe
Following a mechanic’s betrayal, the operatives of the Federal Capital Territory, Police Command arrested a car theft and recovered the stolen cars.
In a statement on Sunday, the spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, noted that Digital Tracking technology installed in the vehicle made it easier for the police to track the car to Rayfield, Jos in Plateau State.
Adeh said the vehicle’s owner fell into the trick of a mechanic introduced to him by his friend.
She noted that the car owner dropped the car for the mechanic with the vehicle’s documents, and the mechanic vanished with the vehicle instead of repairing it.
The statement reads, “On October 10, 2024, Mr. Philemon Olaoluwa reported to the Central Police Divisional Headquarters after his vehicle—a Honda Accord 2006 model, ash in colour with registration number RBC 40 NW—was stolen.
“Mr Olaoluwa’s car developed a mechanical fault, a friend recommended he engage a mechanic from Apo Mechanic Village, FCT, named Abdulhamid Saidu (currently at large).
Mr. Olaoluwa unaware of the motives of the mechanic, released his vehicle with its documents inside the car.
But instead of repairing it, Saidu disappeared with the car.
“Thanks to Digital Tracking technology installed in the vehicle, FCT Police Command operatives tracked the car to Rayfield, Jos in Plateau State, where it was discovered with Steven Abang—a notorious suspect known for receiving, rebranding and selling off stolen vehicles.”
However, the spokesperson confirmed that the suspect is now in their custody and would be charged in court at the conclusion of their investigation.
“Abang confessed that he received the vehicle from his accomplice, Saidu. At Abang’s workshop, two additional vehicles—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208— likely stolen as well, in the process of being rebranded.
“Abang admitted to having ready buyers on standby whom he has rebranded and sold over 16 stolen vehicles to in the past four years.
“Abang is now in custody and will be charged in court following further investigations,” Adeh added.
