Detectives from the Zone 10 Police Command, Sokoto, have successfully burst a car theft gang and recovered four stolen vehicles.
Abubakar Daura, the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 10, made this known in a statement by ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, the command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), on Wednesday in Sokoto.
Daura said that the team also successfully apprehended the three members of the suspected gang that specialised in car theft.
“This operation was conducted with the active cooperation of citizens from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states; effectively ending the reign of terror caused by the gang.
“The suspects’ syndicate had been actively involved in stealing various car models within the three states, subsequently disposing of them both within and outside Nigeria,” he said.
The AIG said that the credible intelligence provided facilitated the arrest of members of the gang in their hideout in an uncompleted building in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Duara added, “During the subsequent interrogations and discreet investigations, one Muttaka Muhammad, a 29-year-old resident of Zauro town, was apprehended.
“Furthermore, this operation led to the recovery of a total of four stolen vehicles in Kebbi and Sokoto, and the arrests of two additional gang members,” he said.
The police chief urged individuals who may have lost vehicles to car theft to come forward with proof of ownership for verification and retrieval at the zone 10 office.
Daura said that the recovered vehicles included a Toyota Corolla LE with Chassis No. 211BR32E74124 and Toyota Corolla LE, Ash in color, with Chassis No. WVBR82F94Z649604.
Others are: Toyota Corolla Fish eye with Chassis No. JT15EEB103103294 and Toyota Corolla Fish eye, with Chassis No. JT152EEB103134442.
He also emphasised the importance of public vigilance and security consciousness by residents in their respective areas, promising the command's continued collaboration with the people.
The AIG added that the suspects would be arraigned in court immediately after investigations were completed.