The Niger State Police Command has recovered a car stolen by a mechanic in Lagos and arrested a 35-year-old man, Bashiru Yakubu, of General Hospital, Kontagora in the Kontagora Local Government Area of the state for the theft.
The suspect was reportedly arrested by a team of policemen in Minna on a tip-off while trying to re-register the stolen 307 Peugeot saloon car with Lagos registration number, JJJ271DB, at the Federal Road Safety Corps, Minna.
The car was reportedly stolen in Lagos and was being taken to Niger State where it would be sold off.
It was learnt that one Sylvia Hammond had given the car to one Lukeman, a mechanic for repairs, but he disappeared with it to an unknown destination.
Northern City News gathered that the suspect drove the car to Minna where he wanted to change the registration number before he was arrested.
He claimed he bought the car from one Abiodun Ogundipe of Al-Ummah Motors, Kontagora for N600,000.
The suspect told Punch correspondent that he never knew it was a stolen car, “otherwise I wouldn’t have even negotiated with Ogundipe who deceived me outright, it is unfortunate.”
“Why should I buy a stolen car if not that I was deceived by Ogundipe who sells car to the general public in Kontagora. Honestly, I’m disturbed, “he stated.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, confirmed the incident, saying that the suspect was arrested by the police operatives in Minna.
Abubakar said the car was recovered from the suspect, adding that the matter would be charged to court after investigation.
