Kaduna: 10 vehicles recovered as police bust robbery syndicate led by dismissed soldier

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Operatives of Nigeria Force Intelligence Department – Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) have busted a notorious armed robbery gang led by one Abubakar Musa, a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army with 10 vehicles recovered from the operation in Kaduna.

The other suspects arrested alongside Musa were Hassan Umar (30), and Joshua Raphael (20).

They were apprehended on 16th March 2026 in Kaduna State, Anthony Placid, the spokesperson for Nigeria Police said in a statement.

According to the statement preliminary investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Musa, is a dismissed Corporal of the Nigerian Army who has been impersonating a serving soldier to evade detection while carrying out armed robbery operations with his accomplices.

Musa and members of his gang, according to the statement, specialized in the theft and movement of stolen vehicles, often removing or altering registration details to conceal their identity and ownership.

olice identified ten vehicles of recovered during the operation to include Toyota Hilux trucks, Toyota Corolla cars, a Pontiac Vibe GT, a Honda vehicle, a Lexus car, and a Toyota RAV4 SUV.

The vehicles were found with their registration numbers already removed.

Placid said investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional exhibits.

He quoted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, as commending the operatives for their professionalism
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Disu also reiterated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to combating criminal activities and ensuring the safety of lives and property.