The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against organized crime, arresting three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery syndicate and recovering ten stolen vehicles in Kaduna State.
Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) apprehended the suspects—Abubakar Musa (36), Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20)—on March 16, 2026, following a targeted operation.
Investigations revealed that the alleged ring leader, Abubakar Musa, is a dismissed corporal of the Nigerian Army who had been impersonating a serving soldier to evade detection while coordinating robbery operations.
Police sources said the syndicate specialized in stealing vehicles and tampering with registration details to conceal their identities before moving them across locations.
The operation led to the recovery of ten vehicles of different brands, including Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, Honda and Lexus models, as well as a Toyota RAV4 SUV—many found without registration numbers.
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu commended the operatives for their professionalism, describing the arrests as a significant step in dismantling criminal networks.
The police said efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more stolen property, reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.
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