The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspected members of an armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate allegedly operating across Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory, recovering two vehicles linked to the criminal network.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during coordinated operations conducted between August 14 and 19, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, saying the arrests were made during operations conducted across parts of Kaduna State and Abuja.
The suspects were identified as Ahmed Saidu, also known as Diamond; Alex Gabriel, also known as Junior; and Ahmed Mahudu, also known as Diamond.
Iniedu said the suspects were arrested in connection with a series of alleged armed robbery incidents involving the snatching of vehicles at gunpoint.
According to him, the suspects, during interrogation, reportedly confessed to their involvement in the alleged criminal activities and provided information that led investigators to one Yakubu Yewa, also known as Y/Come, identified as the alleged kingpin of the syndicate.
He said Yewa was already in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he is standing trial for armed robbery.
“During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal activities and implicated one Yakubu Yewa, a.k.a. Y/Come, who is identified as the kingpin of the syndicate,” Iniedu said.
The police spokesman said further investigation revealed that the alleged kingpin was responsible for coordinating and directing the syndicate’s armed robbery operations, as well as the disposal of stolen vehicles within Nigeria and outside the country.
He said the ongoing investigation was aimed at establishing the full extent of the syndicate’s activities and identifying other persons allegedly connected to the network.
Iniedu disclosed that operatives recovered a red Toyota Corolla and an army-colour Volkswagen Golf 3 during the operations.
He said the recovery of the vehicles formed part of efforts by the STS to disrupt the activities of the suspected criminal network and recover property allegedly taken during its operations.
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to dismantling criminal networks, protecting lives and property, and ensuring that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice,” Iniedu said.
He added that the Force would continue to rely on intelligence-led operations and collaboration with relevant stakeholders to identify and disrupt criminal networks across the country.
