The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 10 suspects over alleged interstate car theft, criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft, following coordinated operations carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) across several states.
The National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, ACC Afolabi Babawale, disclosed this in a statement issued from the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja, saying the operations led to the recovery of five vehicles, vehicle documents and dozens of licence plates linked to an alleged car-snatching syndicate operating across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states.
According to the statement, the crackdown followed intelligence reports on the activities of a notorious car-snatching network allegedly involved in stealing and dismantling vehicles for resale.
“The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, ordered a clampdown on the suspected car snatchers, following reports on interstate car-snatching by a notorious syndicate,” Babawale said.
He explained that operatives of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad acted on credible intelligence from informants and, after what he described as a “strenuous but successful operation,” arrested six suspects identified as Hassan Bukar, Adam Musa, also known as Yellow, Ibrahim Haruna, alias Biggie, Adamu Mohammed, Sahal Abdullahi Aliyu and Abubakar Yusuf, while other members of the syndicate remain at large.
Babawale said preliminary investigations revealed that stolen vehicles were allegedly sold to scrap and spare-parts dealers who dismantled them to erase traces of ownership before reselling the parts to unsuspecting buyers.
“After stealing a vehicle, the syndicates will sell it to scrap and vehicle spare parts dealers, who in turn butcher the stolen vehicles and remove parts of the vehicles for sale to erase traces by the owners,” he said.
Commander of the CG’s SIS, Commandant A.S. Dandaura, disclosed that five shops located at the Zuba Scrap Market had been sealed as exhibits in connection with the investigation.
Dandaura said an already dismantled Toyota Camry, allegedly sold for N1.15 million, was also recovered.
“The CG NSCDC will continue its discreet crackdown on criminal networks threatening public safety across the nation,” Dandaura stated, adding that investigations had been expanded to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
The NSCDC further alleged that one Abdulsalam Isa confessed during interrogation to acting as a courier for a suspect identified as Ismail Haruna, popularly known as “Malam na TK,” who is currently at large.
According to the statement, Isa admitted collecting vehicles from multiple suppliers, including suspects in Gwagwalada and Ugwako, and also disclosed that he was instructed to pick up stolen vehicles at Sauka Bridge, Airport Bridge and Zuba Bridge before his eventual arrest by CG’s SIS operatives.
The Corps said financial records obtained during investigations allegedly showed regular transactions between Isa and Ismail Haruna, linking the latter to the coordination and disposal of stolen vehicles.
Babawale said investigators established what he described as “a prima facie case” of criminal conspiracy, theft, belonging to a gang of brigands and dishonestly receiving stolen property against the suspects under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
He alleged that Hassan Bukar confessed to involvement in the theft and sale of over 160 vehicles since 2014, including a stolen Toyota Corolla allegedly sold for N900,000.
Adam Musa, also known as Yellow, was accused of participating in the purchase and resale of stolen vehicles, including Honda Civic, Toyota Rav4, Camry and Sienna models.
The NSCDC also alleged that Adamu Mohammed operated as an intermediary and workshop owner, facilitating undocumented vehicle sales, while Sahal Aliyu Abdullahi allegedly dismantled and sold parts of a stolen Toyota Camry valued at N1.18 million.
Abubakar Yusuf was accused of participating in negotiations and payments for stolen vehicles, while Ibrahim Haruna, alias Biggie, was alleged to have operated from premises where more than 200 vehicles were dismantled.
The Corps further named one Mathew Atsenga Aondongu of Konshisha area of Makurdi, Benue State, as a fleeing suspect allegedly linked to the supply of stolen vehicles.
Items recovered during the operation include a Toyota Corolla LE 2003 model, Honda EOD 2004 model, Toyota Corolla CE, Toyota Corolla 1998 model, Honda Accord 2008 model, eight vehicle particulars and 61 vehicle licence plates.
In a related development, NSCDC operatives attached to BUA International Cement Factory in Okpella, Edo State, in collaboration with the CG’s SIS, arrested two factory workers over alleged theft of hydraulic fluid belonging to the company.
The suspects, identified as Goodday Okhagbe and Monday Previous, were arrested on May 5, 2026, inside the plant workshop with four 25-litre jerrycans of hydraulic fluid allegedly stolen from the factory.
The NSCDC also announced the arrest of two additional suspects, Mainasara Samuel Markus and Sanni Abba, for alleged criminal conspiracy, vandalism and theft of installed cables at the factory’s Line 1 preheater machine.
According to the Corps, Mainasara confessed to vandalising and removing 16 metres and another two metres of insulated cable, which he allegedly sold to Sanni Abba for N20,000.
Babawale said all suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.
“The NSCDC is hereby reaffirming its commitment to eradicating organised crime and urges the public to report suspicious vehicle transactions and to always demand valid ownership documents before purchase,” he said.
