The Nigeria Police Special Tactical Squad (STS) has smashed a two-man car stealing gang led by one Bashir Isiaku, aged 34, notorious for stealing cars from the car park of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH). The arrest of Bashir, a graduate of one of the Federal Polytechnics, came after painstaking efforts and investigations by operatives of the STS to hunt down the criminals. Bashir and his accomplice, Aminu Yakubu specialized in using customized master key, crafted out of screwdriver to open and start vehicles. Police investigations show that their choices of cars are ones without special security features such as pedal or steering locks. A total of twenty-one (21) vehicles have so far been recovered from the hoodlums and their criminal receivers.
The following criminal receivers have also been arrested: in Funtua – Rilwanu Garba, Ibrahim Hassan, Kabiru Aliyu, Sikiru Danjuma, Bashir Abba; in Sokoto – Dodo Danbello, Mudeen Adelera, Nasiru Bello, Hassan Bawa; in Kucheri – Magazine Garba; in Tsafe – Yushehu Abdullahi; in Gusau – Abdurazaq Adekoya; and in Marafa – Kabiru Aliyu.
The recovered vehicles comprise 2 Opel Vectra, 1 Toyota Camry, 1 Honda CRV, 2 Toyota Carinae, 7 Golf-3, 1 Toyota Corolla, 6 Honda Civic and 1 Toyota Avensis. The suspects claimed that they found it easy to steal in JUTH due to the lax security at JUTH premises. Police investigations reveal that their choice cars are Toyota products, Honda products, and Volkswagen especially the Golf brand because these brand of cars are in high demand by criminal receivers, either in whole or in parts across the country and other neighboring countries.
In the light of the above, members of the public whose cars were stolen between January 2019 and March 2020, within the premises of Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) are advised to come forward for possible identification and recovery. Nigerians are equally enjoined to take extra measures to secure their cars by utilizing special security features such as steering or pedal locks, tracking systems, etc. In the same vein, institutions and organizations are encouraged to enhance security and access control within their premises to minimize the possibility of theft and other mischief by criminals.
Similarly, a 28 year old female armourer, Fatima Garba has been arrested alongside her gang of kidnappers and armed robbers, notorious for attacking innocent Nigerians around Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna and Niger States. As an armourer, Fatima was responsible for ensuring the safety of the weapons used by the gang whenever not in use. Fatima, who confessed of being the gang’s armourer for over a year, claimed to receive a handsome reward each time the weapons were returned to her after each operation.
She acknowledged knowing that the arms which she usually kept in a neatly dug hole in her compound were used for robberies, kidnapping and other criminal purposes. Investigations show that Fatima, who is a trader and single mother of two was recruited by her boyfriend Abubakar Usman. Other members of the gang include: Samaila Usman ‘m’ aged 28, Mohammed Ibrahim ‘m’ aged 30, Mohammed Agali ‘m’ aged 22, Dahiru Bello ‘m’ aged 33, Shamsu Mohammed ‘m’ aged 30, Mohammed Usman ‘m’ aged 37, Umar Abdullahi ‘m’ 33, Buhari Abubakar ‘m’ aged 33 and Abubakar Garba ‘m’ aged 37. Since they began operations, the gang is estimated to have made over twelve million naira from their various criminal escapades.
Recovered from the gang are:
– 5 AK47 rifles
– 1 G3 rifle
– 1 Berretta pistol
– 1476 rounds of ammunition
– 36 rounds of G3 ammunition
– 6 AK47 magazines
– 1 operational vehicle
– 8 mobile phones
– Box containing operational tools
All the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, NPM, mni assures Nigerians of the continued commitment of the Force to the protection of lives and property and rid the country of crime and criminality especially during this lockdown period.
DCP Frank Mba
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters
Abuja
News
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Increase salary, welfare packages for Police other security personnel – FG told
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for improved welfare packages for armed forces personnel and all members of the security and intelligence community to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.
National Chairman of PDP, Tanimu Turaki, made the call in a statement in Abuja on Thursday to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Turaki also urged the Federal Government to adequately fund security agencies to effectively neutralise those he described as agents of insecurity, and restore peace to the country.
He expressed PDP’s condolences to the families of members of the armed forces who died in active service while executing their mandate of protecting Nigeria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“On a day like this, we acknowledge that they paid the supreme price for the continuous existence of our country.
“We advise all actors, whether state or non-state, not to engage in actions capable of destabilising the country.
“In honour of those who have died to keep our country safe, we pray that their deaths may not be in vain and their labours not forgotten,” Turaki said.(NAN)
News
Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
Rivers Lawmakers fail to resume plenary amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against Gov Fubara
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, did not reconvene for plenary on Thursday, a week after adjourning its last session.
During its first sitting of 2026, held last Thursday, the House had initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct. The charges reportedly included the demolition of the state assembly complex and unauthorized spending, among other allegations. That session was adjourned to January 15, 2026.
However, as of noon on Thursday, a visit to the assembly—currently holding sittings at its conference hall along Aba Road—showed no indication that the House would resume.
No official reason has been provided for the delay, and a new date for resumption has not been announced.
News
Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle
Two killed, others arrested as Police operatives engage hoodlums that attacked ex–Governor’s convoy in gun battle
Two suspected armed robbers were shot dead following a prolonged gun battle with police at Enugwu Agidi Junction in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
According to the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the clash occurred between security operatives and hoodlums believed to be armed robbers and cultists with links to a proscribed secessionist group. He said the exchange of gunfire lasted about two hours.
Ikenga disclosed on Thursday that three other suspects escaped during the operation, sustaining varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
He added that items recovered from the scene included one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, a red cult beret, and a black Toyota Highlander vehicle.
He said, “Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of 14th January 2026 recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property.
“The Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid an ambush to a 5-man group of armed hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist group at Enugwu Agidi Junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“Upon sighting the Operatives, the suspects engaged the Officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for two hours which resulted to fatal gun shot injuries on two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“The Operatives also recovered One (1) T.06 rifle, two (2) pump-action guns, Twenty-four (24) rounds of T.06 ammunition, Fifteen (15) live cartridges, Assorted criminal charms, One cult red beret and One black Toyota Highlander vehicle.
“Furthermore, while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed the gang members as being part of those who launched an unsuccessful but repelled attack by the Police Operatives on the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.
“He also confessed being part of the striking squad of Vikings confraternity on a mission to retaliate the death of one of their members by another rival cult group.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu while commending the gallantry of the operatives charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.
“Meanwhile, hospital or related medical facilities are advised to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but must endeavor to report such to the nearest Police Station immediately.
“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.”
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