A 38-year-old notorious vandal Mustapha Kyari has been arrested by operatives of the Federal Territory Capital Police Command for stealing and removing manholes in Abuja.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that three already removed manholes were recovered from the suspect, Mustapha Kyari who hails from Borno State while other members of his gang escaped.
It was gathered that the Police in Abuja, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Maitama have busted a Manhole stealing/removal gang who were caught in the act at the Federal Housing Estate, Maitama.
Confirming the Commissioner of Police, FCT, CP Haruna Garba who made this known disclosed that a patriotic Nigerian alerted the DPO Msitama at about 7 pm on 21 August 2023 that manholes were being removed on the street along Federal Housing, Maitama.
“The DPO responded swiftly but met the suspect later identified as Mustapha Kyari 38 years from Maiduguri, Borno State lying on the ground having been mobbed by irate youths.
“He was subsequently arrested and three (3) manholes were recovered from him.
“He however confessed to the crime and that his accomplice by name Abba, surname unknown escaped in the course of being mobbed. Effort is being made to arrest the fleeing suspect.
Similarly, the CP disclosed that a notorious phone thief and fraudster who specialise in stealing phones, removing the sim cards and using them to hack into owner’s account and withdraw people’s money have been arrested
The CP said, “On Friday 1st September 2023 at about 3 pm, operatives attached to Durumi Police Division acting on actionable intelligence trailed and arrested one Nuhu Zaria who specialises in snatching GSM Phones from innocent commuters.
“After snatching phones, he removes the SIM cards and sells the phone then hands over the SIM cards to his girlfriend Bunmi Samuel.
“The girlfriend on her part makes withdrawals of all monies from the accounts that are linked to the SIM cards.
“The Police operatives have so far recovered Seventy-six (76) SIM cards, two (2) Opay ATM cards and a golden wristwatch from the suspects.
The Suspects are to be arraigned in court after investigation.
The Police also arrested five kidnapping suspects who abducted a minor, 5-year-old Umar Iliya from Kuchiko, in Kubwa area of FCT.
CP Garba said, “On 08/08/2023, at about 5.30 pm, police operatives attached to Byazhin Division, working in close collaboration with the vigilante arrested 5 suspects namely Bernard Francis, Felix Benjamin, Peter Benjamin, Helen Sylvester 40 years and Hamza Haruna 20 years for involvement in kidnapping of a minor in the area.
“In the course of the investigation, the suspects confessed their involvement in the kidnapping of 5-year-old Umar Iliya on 07/08/2023 at about 11 pm from Guita village, Kuchiko, Kubwa.
“The suspects led the police operatives to the residence of one Helen Sylvester a widow and a co-conspirator at Giko, a Village located about 13km away from Guita village where the victim was kept for (3) three days.
The young victim was subsequently rescued and has since been reunited with the parents. The suspects will soon be arraigned in court.
“In a similar vein, the operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit of the Command acting on actionable intelligence stormed Kabin Mongoro Forest and arrested one Mohammed Hamza of Gaube Village kuje Area Council while on his way to bandits camp bordering Nasarawa State.
“The suspect confessed to being an informant, a drug and food supplier to one Dogo, who is a notorious Kidnapping Kingpin on the Command wanted list. He will soon be arraigned in Court.
Also, “The FCT Police Command in a swift operation between 30th – 31st of August, 2023 impounded six (6) vehicles bearing both foreign and local plate numbers or with foreign number plates at the back and Nigeria number plate in front of the vehicle.
“The modus operandi of these drivers is that they use the vehicle to convey unsuspecting passengers and midway to their destination, they disposed them of their handsets and other valuables.
“The moment they carry out this criminal act and to avoid being traced or linked to the crime, they quickly remove the Nigeria Plate number. The suspects will be charged to Court at the conclusion of the investigation.