Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested three suspected members of a notorious armed robbery and car-snatching syndicate allegedly responsible for a string of vehicle thefts in Kaduna State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The arrests were made by operatives of the Special Tactical Squad (STS) during intelligence-led operations conducted between August 14 and 19, 2026, in Kaduna State and Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
According to the police, the suspects arrested are Ahmed Saidu, also known as Diamond ‘M’, Alex Gabriel, also known as Junior ‘M’, and Ahmed Mahudu, also known as Diamond ‘M’.
The police said the trio is being investigated over their alleged involvement in several armed robbery operations in which victims were dispossessed of their vehicles at gunpoint.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly admitted participating in the crimes and identified one Yakubu Yewa, popularly known as Y/Come, as the alleged leader of the criminal network.
Investigators said Yewa is currently in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre, where he is standing trial for armed robbery.
According to the police, further investigations revealed that the alleged kingpin continued to coordinate the syndicate’s operations and supervised the disposal of stolen vehicles within Nigeria and across international borders.
The statement added that operatives recovered two vehicles during the operation—a red Toyota Corolla and an army-colour Volkswagen Golf 3—believed to have been stolen by the syndicate.
Reaffirming its commitment to tackling violent crime, the Force said it would continue to intensify efforts aimed at dismantling criminal gangs and bringing offenders to justice.
“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,” the statement said.
