The Delta State Police Command have arrested an ex-soldier from Tudun
Wada quarters of Zaria, Kaduna State, over his alleged membership of a
car snatching syndicate. The state Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr.
Zanna Mohammed Ibrahim, while addressing newsmen at the command
headquarters in Asaba on Wednesday, said the suspect, Sani Abubakar, who
deserted the Army in 2013, was nabbed after the other gang members had
been arrested.
"At about 1700hrs, while on stop and search on PTI Road, Effurun,
operatives of 51 Police Mobile Force, Oghara, accosted one Toyota
Corolla car with registration number EKY 128 DM and was carrying four
occupants.
"Two of the occupants took to their heels as soon as the vehicle was stopped for a search.
"One Happy Sunday, a 24-year old male, and Stanley Vincent, 29, were arrested," said the CP.
The vehicle was recovered along with two locally made pistols, six AR
live cartridges, handsets, and charms belonging to the gang. Mr. Ibrahim
also said investigators have identified and contacted the rightful
owner of the car, one Mrs. Nwamaka Nwizu of Aka Avenue, Effurun. Mrs.
Nwizu.
The ex- soldier was arrested on November 11, following a confession by
the principal suspect, Stanley Vincent, that the former soldier usually
escorted vehicles snatched by the gang to a receiver in Kaduna.
A phone call was made to the former soldier through the suspect and an
arrangement made for him to escort a Toyota Avalon car. The ex-soldier
requested that the vehicle be taken to their meeting point in Benin,
where detectives arrested him.
"He introduced himself as a soldier and presented a Nigerian Army I.D
card bearing Rank: Corporal, Name: Sani Abubakar and P/No.
2005/NA/57/3561. However, the suspect has confessed to the crime and
revealed that he enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 2005, trained at Zaria
Depot and was posted to Supply and Transport, 3 Division, Nigerian
Army, Jos, Plateau State, but deserted the Army in 2013," Mr. Ibrahim
told journalists.
A four-man kidnap syndicate was smashed, while several armed robbery
suspects were also arrested. The suspects will soon be charged to court,
the CP added.
Source: Sahara Reporters
