Police arrest notorious car snatching syndicate in Abuja, recovering N15m cash and seven stolen vehicles in a major bust.

It is the end of the road for a notorious car snatching syndicate operating in the nation’s capital, as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has successfully dismantled their network.

In a major operation announced on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, police operatives arrested key members of the gang and recovered a staggering N15 million in cash, along with several stolen vehicles.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed the development, revealing that the breakthrough came through the combined efforts of officers from the Jabi, Gwagwalada, and Mabushi divisions.

Initially, the police teams recovered three stolen vehicles. However, the investigation went deeper when the Command’s tactical "Scorpion Squad" stepped in. 

Using digital forensic reconstruction and credible intelligence, they expanded the dragnet, leading to the arrest of more suspects and the recovery of four additional cars.

Among those now in police custody are an ex-convict identified as Dalhatu Bashiru, alongside Nwadigo Emmanuel, Uchenna Kalu, and Alhaji Jazuli Adamu.

According to the police, the big fish in this operation appears to be Alhaji Jazuli Adamu, who acts as the principal receiver of the stolen goods. He was tracked down and arrested all the way in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State.

When he was nabbed, police found him with N15,280,000 cash. Investigations revealed that this money was meant to pay for the latest batch of stolen cars coming from Abuja.

The police also uncovered an international connection to the crime ring. Findings showed that Adamu works closely with one Alhaji Abdulkarim Gabeida Ibrahim, a citizen of the Niger Republic.

Ibrahim, who is currently on the run, is said to be the one coordinating the resale of these stolen vehicles across the border in Niger Republic. A manhunt has been launched to bring him to book.

The operation yielded a total of seven vehicles. The recovered items include a black 2008 Toyota Prado, a grey KIA Optima, an ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light), and three Toyota Corollas.

The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has praised the officers for their dedication to keeping Abuja safe.

CP Dantawaye also used the opportunity to advise car owners to be proactive. He urged residents to install functional car trackers, noting that this simple step makes it much easier for the police to recover vehicles if they are stolen.

As it stands, all the suspects and the recovered exhibits are in custody while investigations continue to track down other fleeing members of the gang.

ash-coloured Toyota Camry (pencil-light)