Police arrest eight suspects, recover ‘stolen vehicles’ in Abuja

The federal capital territory (FCT) police command says its operatives have arrested eight suspects for involvement in the stealing of vehicles in the nation’s capital.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Josephine Adeh, FCT police spokesperson, said the suspects included a couple identified as Yusuf Yunusa and Blessing Yusuf.

Adeh said Blessing confessed to purchasing Toyota master keys from Jumia, an online marketplace, which her husband used to steal vehicles while she created distractions to aid the crimes.

“On 19th April 2025, following the report of a stolen gold Toyota Corolla (Reg No. ABC 570 FJ) from the Federal Secretariat, operatives of the Command’s Scorpion Squad arrested one Yusuf Yunusa,” the statement reads.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of his wife, Blessing Yusuf, on 25th April in Kwali Area Council. She confessed to purchasing Toyota master keys from the Jumia online marketplace, which her husband used to steal vehicles, while she created distractions to facilitate the crimes.”

The police spokesperson added that operatives also apprehended five other suspects — Idris Suleiman, Isiyaku Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde, and Bello Muyideen — for stealing a black Mercedes-Benz in Lagos.

She said George Idung, a driver, was also arrested while he was attempting to sell a car belonging to Chinwenze Chinaza, his boss, in his village in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom state.

Adeh noted that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

“In another case, on 28th April 2025, police responded to a report from a car buyer in Life Camp regarding a suspicious black Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC E-400 (Reg No. AAA 07 KA),” Adeh said.

“Upon investigation, it was confirmed stolen from Lekki, Lagos. Five suspects were arrested and identified as Idris Suleiman, Isiyaku Habibu, Ganiyu Sadiq, Idowu Akintunde, and Bello Muyideen.

“The stolen vehicle was recovered and the suspects confessed to stealing it from their employer.”

Adeh added that Ajao Adewale, the FCT commissioner of police, urged residents to install tracking devices in their vehicles, avoid isolated parking spaces, and verify vehicle ownership before purchase.