Three stolen vehicles recovered, eight suspects arrested in FCT

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested eight suspects in connection with the theft of three vehicles across different parts of the territory, including a couple said to have used master keys bought online to facilitate the crimes.

The command also announced the recovery of the stolen vehicles following intelligence-led operations carried out by its operatives between April 19 and April 28, 2025.

According to a statement on Tuesday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, one of the cases involved a stolen gold Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC 570 FJ, which was reported missing from the Federal Secretariat on April 19, 2025.

Operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad arrested a suspect, Yusuf Yunusa, in connection with the theft. Further investigation led to the arrest of his wife, Blessing Yusuf, in the Kwali Area Council on April 25.

During interrogation, Blessing confessed to purchasing Toyota master keys from the Jumia online marketplace.

According to her, the keys were used by her husband to steal vehicles, while she allegedly created distractions to aid the thefts.

“In another case,” the police said, “on April 28, 2025, operatives responded to a report from a car buyer in Life Camp regarding a suspicious black Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC E-400 with registration number AAA 07 KA. Upon investigation, the vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen from Lekki, Lagos.”

Five suspects – Idris Suleiman, Isiyaku, Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde, and Bello Muyideen – were arrested. The suspects, who were said to have stolen the vehicle from their employer, reportedly confessed to the crime, and the stolen car was recovered by the police.

Similarly, police operatives attached to the Mabushi Division tracked down a fleeing driver, George Idung, after he was reported missing alongside his employer’s unregistered Toyota Hilux Adventure.

The vehicle’s owner, Mr Chinwenze Chinaza, had earlier alerted the police about his driver’s disappearance. Acting on credible intelligence, officers traced the suspect to his hometown in Eket Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, where he was arrested while attempting to sell off the vehicle.

The police confirmed that all eight suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commenting on the developments, the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Ajao Adewale, advised residents to be security conscious, urging them to install tracking devices in their vehicles, avoid parking in isolated areas, and always verify vehicle ownership thoroughly before making purchases.

“For emergencies or to report suspicious activities,” the statement added, “residents are encouraged to contact the FCT Police Command Control Room via 08032003913, 08028940883, or 08061581938.”

Punch