The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC has cracked down on a notorious interstate car-snatching syndicate operating across several states, arresting six suspects and recovering multiple stolen vehicles and exhibits linked to the criminal network.
The operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, CG’S SIS, following directives from the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, after reports emerged of widespread vehicle theft activities across the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Benue, Kogi and Plateau states.
According to the Corps, the suspects arrested include Hassan Bukar, Adam Musa also known as Yellow, Ibrahim Haruna alias Biggie, Adamu Mohammed, Sahal Abdullahi Aliyu and Abubakar Yusuf, while several other members of the syndicate remain at large.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the syndicate specialised in stealing vehicles and selling them to scrap dealers and spare parts merchants, who dismantled the vehicles to erase traces of ownership before reselling the parts to unsuspecting buyers.
Speaking on the operation, Commander of the CG’s SIS, A. S. Dandaura, disclosed that five shops at the Zuba Scrap Market had been sealed and marked as exhibits in connection with the investigation.
He also confirmed the recovery of a dismantled Toyota Camry allegedly sold for ₦1.15 million.
Dandaura stated that the NSCDC had expanded investigations to track down fleeing members of the syndicate and dismantle the wider criminal network involved in vehicle theft and illegal dismantling operations.
According to findings from the investigation, one suspect, Abdulsalam Isa, allegedly confessed to acting as a courier for a fleeing suspect identified as Ismail Haruna, also known as Malam na TK.
Investigators said Isa admitted collecting stolen vehicles from suppliers in areas including Gwagwalada and Ugwako, while financial records obtained by operatives allegedly revealed regular transactions linked to the sale and movement of stolen vehicles.
The NSCDC said evidence gathered so far established prima facie offences bordering on criminal conspiracy, theft, belonging to a gang of brigands, receiving stolen property, and concealment of stolen items under relevant sections of the Penal Code.
One of the principal suspects, Hassan Bukar, was reportedly arrested with a stolen Toyota Corolla in Keffi on April 3, 2026, and allegedly confessed to involvement in the sale of more than 160 stolen vehicles since 2014.
The Corps also named another suspect, Matthew Atsenga Aondongu from Konshisha area of Benue State, as currently at large and allegedly linked to the supply of stolen vehicles from the Benue axis.
Items recovered from the syndicate include five vehicles, eight vehicle particulars and 61 different vehicle licence plates.
The recovered vehicles include: Toyota Corolla LE 2003 model, Honda EOD 2004 model, Toyota Corolla CE, Toyota Corolla 1998 model and Honda Accord 2008 model.
Meanwhile, the NSCDC also announced the arrest of two suspects at the BUA Cement plant in Okpella, Edo State, over alleged theft of hydraulic fluid from the company’s workshop.
The suspects, identified as Goodday Okhagbe and Monday Previous, both employees of the company, were arrested on May 5, 2026, in a joint operation involving NSCDC operatives attached to the factory and the CG’s SIS.
According to the Corps, four 25-litre jerrycans of hydraulic fluid belonging to the company were recovered from the suspects.
