The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Idris Ibrahim’s Intelligence Response Team {IRT} has smashed a legendry four-man syndicate who specialized in receiving cars from notorious armed robbers and kidnappers.
The gang claimed that the only business they know best which gives them ‘quick money’ is receiving and selling stolen vehicles.
The arrest of the kidnappers of the Deputy High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Major-General Alfred Claude-Nelson and the Executive Director of Dangote Group, Engineer Mansur Ahmed, brought more revelations into the nefarious activities of the dangerous syndicate.
As a result of their confessions and Credible Technical Intelligence, IRT operatives moved to Kano State and all members of the four-man syndicate namely; Abdulrahman Hassan, a.k.a Risi, aged 42 years; Abubakar Datti, a.k.a Baballiya, aged 45 years; Aminu Adamu Yakasai, aged 49 years and Shuaibu Yahaya, aged 48 years, were arrested in the heart of Kano.
The suspects confessed to receiving more than 100 cars from various groups of armed robbery and Kidnapping gangs, including the 4-Runner Jeep of the Deputy High Commissioner.
The suspects usually cross the cars to Niger Republic and other neighboring countries where they hand them over to their various agents.
The agents are one Mr. Alfa who is in possession of the 4-Runner Jeep belonging to the Deputy High Commissioner, Garba, Dauda and Mallam Haruna.
One of the suspects, Abdulraham Hassan, in his confession said, ”I am a native of Gezawa area of Kano State. I was formerly selling ram at Dei-Dei Market at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before one Usman Zamfara introduced me to receiving stolen properties in 2009. He told me that it was the only business they know and that they used to make good money.
“In 2011, I was arrested by policemen from Delta State and sent to prison. I received a stolen Honda CRV from one Ebele in Warri, Delta State and after he was arrested he led the police to me and I was arrested and dumped in prison. I got bailed one year later and I went back to my business.
“In 2015, I met one Suraju who is late now and he promised to always supply stolen cars to me. He gave me two cars, a Toyota Lexus 300, which I bought for N350, 000 and a Honda Accord Hennessey, which I bought for N150, 000. But before he died, Suraju also linked me to one Balarabe Mohammed, who sold a stolen Toyota Corolla 2002 model to me at the rate of N450, 000, a 2009 model Toyota Four Runner, which I bought at the rate of N1.2million. I sold these vehicles to one Alfa who is based in Niger Republic. I sold the Toyota Corolla at the rate of N700, 000 to Alfa and he also bought the Toyota Four Runner at the rate of N1.6million.
“Alfa then paid N650, 000 for the Lexus and N330, 000 for the Honda Hennessey. I knew these vehicles were stolen, that’s why I don’t sell them in Nigeria and I endeavor to take them to Niger Republic where they will not be found. Balarabe also brought a 2014 model Audi Squadron saloon car and I bought it at the rate of N700, 000 and sold it to one Garba Maradi, in Maradi Town in Niger Republic for N1million.
“I also received two Honda Hennessey, 1998 models from one Babagana at the rate of N400, 000 each. I bought a Volkswagen Golf car from one Alhaji Tasiu of Plateau State at the rate of N350, 000 and I gave these vehicles to my boy, Abubakar Datti, to transport them to my new buyer in Niger Republic known as Mallam Maradi and I was paid N1.4million for the three vehicles. I gave Datti N170, 000 as his share and I kept the rest. After my arrest by the IRT operatives, I assisted in recovering one of the vehicles, which was the 2014, Audi Squadron which was sold to Garba Maradi. I was forced to refund the sum of N500, 000 that he paid to me and my son later went to Niger and brought the vehicle to the police.
The other suspect, Shuaibu Yahaya, a native of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State said,” I am an engine oil merchant and I also deal on spare parts. In 2012 I ventured into buying and selling of stolen cars. It was one Ali Yahaya who introduced me to the business. He brought four vehicles for me, a Honda Haller, which I sold to a doctor for N220, 000, a Brama Honda, which I sold for N270, 000 and a Honda Civic, which I sold for N180, 000. The fourth car, a Honda Aradie, was sold to a banker for N200, 000. I got my commissions from the proceeds of the sales of the cars, but few months later, Ali was arrested by policemen from Zone One Police Command, Kano and he led them in arresting me. I was charged to court and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.”