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Police bust notorious car theft syndicate, arrest suspect, recover 3 stolen vehicles

The Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police has confirmed the arrest of a suspected car thief, Steven Abang in Plateau State.

A statement issued on Sunday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh said the arrest followed a complaint by one Mr. Philemon Olaoluwa, who reported to the Central Police Divisional Headquarters after his vehicle, a Honda Accord 2006 model, ash in colour with registration number RBC 40 NW was stolen.

She explained that Mr Olaoluwaโ€™s car developed a mechanical fault and a โ€œfriend recommended he engage a mechanic from Apo Mechanic Village, FCT, named Abdulhamid Saidu, (currently at large.

โ€œMr Olaoluwa, unaware of the motives of the mechanic, released his vehicle with its documents inside the car.

โ€œBut instead of repairing it, Saidu disappeared with the car.

โ€œThanks to Digital Tracking technology installed in the vehicle, FCT Police Command operatives tracked the car to Rayfield, Jos in Plateau State, where it was discovered with Steven Abangโ€”a notorious suspect known for receiving, rebranding and selling off stolen vehicles.

โ€œAbang confessed that he received the vehicle from his accomplice, Saidu. At Abangโ€™s workshop, two additional vehiclesโ€”a Hyundai Accent and a Peugeot 208โ€” likely stolen as well, were in the process of being rebranded.

โ€œAbang admitted to having ready buyers on standby whom he has rebranded and sold over 16 stolen vehicles to in the past four years.

โ€œAbang is now in custody and will be charged to court following further investigationsโ€.