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The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three alleged members of an armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate operating across Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory, recovering two vehicles suspected to have been stolen during the group’s operations.
Special Tactical Squad (STS) operatives made the arrests during coordinated operations conducted between August 14 and 19, 2026, in Kaduna and Abuja.
According to a statement issued Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the suspects were arrested following “actionable intelligence” linking them to a series of armed robbery incidents involving the snatching of vehicles at gunpoint.
The suspects were identified as Ahmed Saidu, also known as Diamond; Alex Gabriel, also known as Junior; and Ahmed Mahudu.
Iniedu said the suspects confessed during interrogation to participating in the alleged criminal activities and implicated one Yakubu Yewa, also known as Y/Come, as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect is currently in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he is standing trial for armed robbery,” the statement said.
According to the police, further investigation showed that Yewa allegedly coordinated and directed the syndicate’s armed robbery operations and oversaw the disposal of stolen vehicles both within Nigeria and outside the country.
The alleged kingpin’s reported role places him at the centre of a wider network that investigators say operated across state and national boundaries.
During the operations, police said officers recovered a red Toyota Corolla and an army-coloured Volkswagen Golf 3.
Iniedu said the arrests and vehicle recoveries were part of the police efforts to disrupt organised criminal networks involved in violent crime and vehicle theft.
The latest arrests come as police intensify operations against armed robbery and other organised crimes involving the theft and illegal disposal of vehicles.
Investigations into the alleged syndicate are continuing, with police expected to establish the full extent of its operations and identify other members who may be involved.
POLICE ARREST THREE KEY MEMBERS OF ARMED ROBBERY AND CAR-SNATCHING SYNDICATE, RECOVER TWO VEHICLES
The Nigeria Police Force, through operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS), has arrested three key members of a notorious armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate operating… pic.twitter.com/VHIFw3ltHH
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) August 30, 2026
