The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has apprehended several members of car theft syndicates targeting Abuja residents, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tunji Disu, announced during a recent briefing.

Disu outlined the Command’s efforts to intensify security operations across the FCT, noting that the recent arrests were part of a broader initiative to rid Abuja of criminal activities. He explained that FCT police operatives, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested three suspects: Aji Thomas, 32, from Gwoza in Borno State; Amobi Ndukwe, 40, from Enugu State; and Amaechi Sampson, 26, from Imo State.

“These suspects are part of a notorious four-man gang involved in armed robbery and car snatching,” said Disu. “The gang operates not only within the FCT but also extends their activities to Nassarawa, Kaduna, and Kano States. Led by one Chidebere, currently at large, the gang trails unsuspecting victims to suitable locations, where they strike, seizing vehicles and valuables. They then remove any tracking devices and transport the vehicles to other states, where they have ready buyers.”

Disu revealed that two of the suspects, Thomas and Ndukwe, are ex-convicts who had previously served time in prison but returned to crime shortly after release. The suspects were arrested while attempting to sell a stolen blue Toyota Corolla with registration number KTW 2155D to one of the Command’s undercover operatives. During interrogation, they confessed to operating in Garki for the past year and a half, admitting responsibility for multiple car thefts within Abuja.

In a related incident on October 10, 2024, a distress call from Mr Philemon Olaoluwa led police to investigate the theft of his Honda Accord 2006 model, ash-coloured and registered as RBC 40 NW. According to Disu, Olaoluwa’s car developed a mechanical fault, prompting him to contact a recommended mechanic, Abdulhamid Saidu.

However, Saidu took the vehicle under the pretext of repair and disappeared with the car and its documents.

Using digital tracking technology, FCT police traced the vehicle to Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, where it was found in the possession of Joseph Abang. Abang, a suspected car theft specialist, confessed to receiving the vehicle from Saidu and admitted to rebranding and selling stolen vehicles.

Police recovered two additional cars—a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208—undergoing rebranding in Abang’s workshop. Abang claimed to have rebranded and sold over sixteen stolen vehicles in the past four years.

Abang and the other suspects are in custody and will be charged in court upon completing investigations.

The police continue to search for the remaining gang members, including gang leader Chidebere and mechanic Saidu.