Police nab three trans-border car theft syndicate

The Kano State Police Command has arrested three suspects linked to a trans-border car theft syndicate responsible for stealing a vehicle during a test drive at a car dealership in the state.

Police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement on Monday, said the operation was carried out by the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS), leading to the arrest of the gang’s leader, Shamsu Yusuf, also known as “Chitta,” and two accomplices.

The incident occurred on July 7 when a car dealer, Abdulqadir Abdurrahman of Gadan Kaya Quarters, Kano, reported that Chitta posed as an interested buyer and stole a gold-coloured 2013 Toyota Corolla during a test drive from Dangari Motors.

Following an intensive investigation, the SIS team, led by CSP Rabiu Gidado, apprehended Chitta along with his accomplices, Bashir Ladan (40) and Suleiman Muntari (41), in Katsina State on July 17. The stolen vehicle, which had been smuggled and sold in Niger Republic, was recovered by the police.

According to the statement, the gang leader confessed to being involved in several similar crimes, including the theft of a Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Commending the officers involved, Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, advised car dealers to exercise caution during test drives and assured the public of the Command’s continued efforts to combat crime and safeguard residents.