The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against violent crime with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate and the recovery of 10 stolen vehicles in Kaduna.
Confirming the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad, who apprehended the suspects Abubakar Musa (36), Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20) on March 16, 2026.
According to police sources, preliminary investigations identified Abubakar Musa as the principal suspect and a dismissed corporal of the Nigerian Army. He reportedly impersonated a serving soldier to evade arrest while coordinating robbery operations alongside his accomplices.
Further findings revealed that the syndicate specialised in stealing and trafficking vehicles, frequently tampering with or removing registration details to conceal the vehicles’ identities and ownership.
During the operation, police recovered 10 vehicles of different brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda vehicle, a Lexus car, and a Toyota RAV4 SUV. Several of the recovered vehicles were found without registration numbers.
Authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen property.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the commitment of the police to tackling criminal activities and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the country.
