Police Recover Stolen Hilux In Plateau, Arrest Suspected Members Of Vehicle Theft Syndicate

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a vehicle theft syndicate and recovered a stolen 2022 Toyota Hilux following an intelligence-led operation that tracked the vehicle from Jos to neighbouring Bauchi State.

The police public relations officer of the command, Alfred Alabo, in a statement issued on Wednesday in Jos, said the vehicle, a white Toyota Hilux with registration number 18D-35-FG, was reported stolen from its owner’s residence on July 21, 2026.

According to the statement, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Plateau State Command, Bassey Ewah, immediately directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to launch a coordinated operation aimed at recovering the vehicle and arresting those responsible.

The operation, driven by intelligence and technology, led operatives to Bauchi State, where the stolen vehicle was recovered and two suspects, Ibrahim Tijjani, 30, of Labour House in Jos North Local Government Area, and Mohammed Umar, 33, of Angwan Rogo in Jos North, were arrested.

Police investigations revealed that Tijjani allegedly stole the vehicle’s spare key without the owner’s knowledge and waited while the owner searched for the missing key.

The statement further disclosed that the suspect allegedly convinced the owner to park the vehicle at a bakery, claiming that a replacement key was being sent from Port Harcourt. He also reportedly misled security personnel at the premises into allowing the vehicle to remain there.

Investigators said Tijjani later returned with the stolen key, drove the vehicle away and subsequently handed it over to his alleged accomplice before both suspects attempted to move it out of Plateau State.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the Police tracked the vehicle to Bauchi State, where both suspects were apprehended, and the vehicle was successfully recovered,” the statement said.

The AIG commended operatives of Ambush Squad “A” for what he described as their professionalism, swift response and dedication to duty.

He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to rid Plateau State of criminal elements and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.