Police Recover Stolen Toyota Hilux, Arrest Two Suspected Vehicle Thieves in Plateau

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

This is according to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, and made available to journalists in Jos on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the incident was reported on July 21, 2026, at about 7:00am, when a white Toyota Hilux, Model 2022, with Registration Number 18D-35-FG, was reported stolen from the owner's residence by unknown persons.

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

Through the prompt deployment of intelligence and technology, operatives 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.

Police said investigations revealed that the principal suspect, Ibrahim Tijjani, had secretly stolen the key to the victim's vehicle without the owner's knowledge, and while the owner and others searched for the missing key, the suspect was perfecting his plan to steal the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect deceitfully persuaded the vehicle owner to park the vehicle at a bakery, and misled security personnel at the premises by falsely claiming the vehicle would remain there temporarily pending the arrival of a replacement key from Port Harcourt.

Acting on this false claim, the security personnel allowed the vehicle to remain at the location.

The following day, the suspect reportedly returned with the stolen key, gained access to the vehicle, drove it away, and handed it over to his accomplice.

The command said both suspects were apprehended in Bauchi State based on credible intelligence, and the stolen vehicle was recovered.

AIG Ewah commended operatives of the Ambush Squad "A" for their professionalism and reiterated the command's commitment to fighting crime, urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The command also released the following emergency and complaint lines for residents:

Control Room Emergency Numbers: 07059473022, 08038907662 ACP X-Squad: 08034448617 PPRO: 08060545670 CRU: 08037681026 PCB: 09016146804 VCRU: 09051145757