The investigation into the kidnap of Sierra Leonean diplomat, Maj.-Gen. Nelson Williams (retd.), has led to the arrest of members of a syndicate, who work with kidnappers and armed robbers to sell stolen vehicles.
The suspects – Abdulrahman Hassan (42), Abubakar Datti (45), Aminu Adamu Yakasai (49) and Shuaibu Yahaya (48) – confessed to receiving more than 100 vehicles from robbers and kidnappers.
The investigation, which led to the suspects’ arrest in Kano State, also yielded information pointing to the fact that Niger Republic has become the hub of stolen vehicles in Nigeria.
It will be recalled that Maj.-Gen. Williams, was abducted along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on July 1, 2016 by kidnappers, who demanded $40m as ransom.
He was released four days later but his Toyota 4-Runner SUV was never recovered.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that after the arrest of the suspected kidnappers of Williams, the police got information about a syndicate, which specialised in handling vehicles snatched by armed robbers and kidnappers.
According to a source close to the investigation, the kidnappers told the Inspector-General of Police Response Team that the syndicate, which Hassan, Datti, Yakasai and Yahaya belonged to, helped them to dispose of the vehicles of the diplomat and an Executive Director of Dangote Group, Alhaji Mansur Ahmed, who was kidnapped in March 2016.
After weeks on their trail, the police nabbed the members of the syndicate in a sting operation during the week.
“We have received and disposed of more than 100 stolen vehicles,” one of the suspects told the IRT.
Kano State indigene, Hassan, a former ram trader at the Dei-Dei Market in Abuja, said he was introduced to the business by one Usman Zamfara in 2009.
He said, “For two years, I operated without getting in police trouble. But in 2011, I received a stolen Honda CRV from one Ebele in Warri, Delta State. He led the police to me after he was arrested. I was arrested and put in prison for one year.
“I left prison in 2012 and tried to do legitimate work but I could not stay away from the stolen car business. In 2015, I met one Suraju, who promised to provide me with a regular supply of stolen vehicles.
“His first supply was a Toyota Lexus 300 and a Honda Accord Hennessey. I bought the two vehicles for N500, 000. Suraju also linked me with one Balarabe Mohammed, who sold a stolen 2002 model Toyota Corolla, and a 2009 model Toyota Four Runner to me for N1.65m.
“I took the two vehicles to my contact in Niger Republic, and sold them for N2.3m. He paid N980, 000 for the Lexus and Honda Hennessey.
“If I had sold off the vehicles in Nigeria, they might have been found. To make sure there is no chance of the vehicles ever being found, Niger Republic is the best place to sell them off.”
Hassan, who admitted to single-handedly receiving dozens of stolen high-priced vehicles from armed robbers, which he sold off at ridiculous prices, explained that he could not trace many of the people he sold them to.
For instance, he said he bought a 2014 model Audi Squadron for N700,000 and sold it in Niger for N1m.
But after his arrest, he was forced to refund N500, 000 of the money he got from the car.
The police forced his son to go to Niger and bring the vehicle back.
Another suspect, Yahaya, who is also a Kano State indigene, said before he ventured into selling stolen vehicles, he was an engine oil trader.
According to him, he had his first taste of the stolen car business in 2012 when one Ali Yahaya brought four Honda saloon vehicles to him and he sold them off for a total amount of N870,000.
He said, “I sold one to a doctor, one to a banker and the two remaining cars to two people I cannot remember. I got a commission from the money. But few months later, Ali was arrested by policemen from Zone 1 Police Command, Kano and he led them to me.
“I was charged to court and sentenced to three years imprisonment. After I was released, I went back straight to the business of receiving stolen vehicles.
“My first job after prison few months ago was a 2013 model Toyota Camry, which one Suraju brought to me. I sold the vehicle in Niger Republic for N400,000. I gave Suraju N350, 000 and got N50,000 as my commission, this was about five months ago.”
According to him, he sold many other vehicles after this which were brought to him by a young man working for Hassan.
The police have said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as other suspects mentioned in the investigation are rounded up.
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