Two arrested as stolen Plateau Hilux is recovered in Bauchi

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a vehicle theft syndicate and recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux following an intelligence-led operation that tracked the vehicle to Bauchi State.

The police disclosed this in a statement signed by Alfred Alabo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) and made available to Journalists on Wednesday in Jos, saying the operation was carried out on the directive of Bassey Ewah, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, after the theft was reported on July 21, 2026.

“Upon receipt of the report, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Plateau State Command, AIG Bassey Ewah, immediately directed all Area Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Team Commanders in the Command to commence an intelligence-driven operation to recover the vehicle and apprehend those responsible.”

“Through the prompt deployment of intelligence and technology, the operatives successfully tracked the stolen vehicle to Bauchi State, where it was recovered. During the operation, two suspects, Ibrahim Tijjani, 30, of Labour House, Jos North Local Government Area, and Mohammed Umar, 33, of Angwan Rogo, Jos North Local Government Area, were arrested in connection with the crime.”

According to the statement, investigations revealed that Tijjani allegedly stole the vehicle’s key without the owner’s knowledge while efforts were ongoing to locate the missing key. He was said to have persuaded the owner to park the vehicle at a bakery and falsely informed security personnel that it would remain there until a replacement key arrived from Port Harcourt.

The police said the suspect later returned with the stolen key, drove the vehicle away and handed it over to his accomplice before detectives, acting on credible intelligence, traced both suspects and the vehicle to Bauchi State.

The command commended operatives of Ambush Squad “A” for their professionalism and swift response, reiterating its commitment to ridding Plateau State of criminal elements while urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.