The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspects and recovered a stolen 2022 Toyota Hilux allegedly trafficked from Jos, Plateau State, in what it described as a major breakthrough in the fight against property-related crimes.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, said the vehicle was stolen on July 17, 2026, from the premises of Oasis Bakery in Bukuru, Jos, where it had been parked by its owner, a 48-year-old resident of Kwata Zawan.
According to the police, the theft was allegedly carried out “deceitfully with the aid of alleged military personnel.”
Habib said detectives attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) acted on intelligence received from Jos and launched an operation that led to the arrest of the suspects at Larema Hotel, GRA Dass Road, Bauchi, on Saturday.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Tijjani, 31, of Federal Low Cost, Jos, and Umar Muhammad, 33, of Unguwar Rogo, Jos.
Police described Tijjani as a dismissed Lieutenant of the Nigerian Army who was disengaged from service in 2021.
During interrogation, the police said Tijjani confessed to stealing the Hilux and allegedly admitted to previously stealing two other vehicles from Bauchi and disposing of them in another state.
Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the professionalism of the SCID detectives for the successful operation.
“This recovery adds to the about six motor vehicles already recovered by the Command in the first two weeks of July 2026 in the ongoing fight against property crime,” the commissioner said.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information.
“See something, say something, so the Police can do something,” Aliyu appealed.
The recovered Toyota Hilux has been returned to its owner, while investigations are ongoing.
Police said the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
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