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 traced the vehicle from Jos to neighbouring Bauchi State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Alfred Alabo, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Jos.
According to the statement, the white Toyota Hilux with registration number 18D-35-FG was reported stolen from its owner’s residence on July 21, 2026.
Following the report, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Plateau State Command, Bassey Ewah, directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to launch a coordinated operation to recover the vehicle and apprehend those behind the theft.
The intelligence-driven operation eventually led police operatives to Bauchi State, where the vehicle was recovered and two suspects were arrested.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Tijjani, 30, of Labour House in Jos North Local Government Area, and Mohammed Umar, 33, of Angwan Rogo, also in Jos North.
Preliminary 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.
Police said the suspect allegedly persuaded the owner to park the vehicle at a bakery, claiming that a replacement key was being sent from Port Harcourt. He was also accused of misleading security personnel at the premises into allowing the vehicle to remain there.
Investigators alleged that Tijjani later returned with the stolen spare key, drove the vehicle away and handed it over to his alleged accomplice before both men attempted to transport 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 Assistant Inspector-General of Police commended operatives of Ambush Squad ‘A’ for their professionalism, swift response and dedication, describing the successful operation as a reflection of the command’s commitment to tackling crime.
Ewah also reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to rid Plateau State of criminal elements and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
