The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Zamfara State Command, has announced the recovery of a stolen Mercedes-Benz C300, a Samsung Galaxy phone, and counterfeit currency totalling $7,000.
The items were recovered from Mohammed Dauda Ismail, a native of Kano State.
Sani Mustapha, the Commandant of the NSCDC in Zamfara State, made this revelation while presenting the suspect at the Command Headquarters in Gusau, the state capital.
Mustapha explained that on December 12, 2024, a 33-year-old man, Alkasim Kabir, also from Kano State, reported the theft of his Mercedes-Benz C300 (registration number DAL 68 HK Kano), along with a Samsung Galaxy phone and an iPhone 12.
According to him, before the arrest of the suspects, tracking revealed several locations the culprit transited through before the tracker was removed and assumed lost.
He said that the suspects travelled via the Dayi-Malumfashi-Funtua route en route to Zamfara State from Kano State.
“Based on a social media advertisement and intelligence reports received by the Command, the authorities swiftly identified the situation and apprehended the suspect in Gusau on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at around 11:30 a.m. along Sokoto Bypass Road, in a restaurant near Masjid Umar Bin Khattab (Masallacin Kanoma).”
Commandant Sani Mustapha explained that the suspect, Muhammad Dauda, admitted to acquiring the items through deception.
He stated that Dauda had left the owner’s residence under the pretense of going to refill gas at a gas plant in Kano but instead fled with the items.
He also revealed that tracking had confirmed the iPhone 12 was located in Lokoja, Kogi State, and arrangements were in place to recover it, as the buyer had agreed to return it to its rightful owner.
The Commandant emphasized that the investigation was still ongoing, and the suspect would be charged in court once it was concluded.
He assured the press and the public that they would be updated on any further developments in due course.
“Investigations are still ongoing, the suspect shall be arraigned before a competent court of law upon completion and we shall keep the press and the general public abreast of further developments in due course.”
In an interview with newsmen, the Suspect, Mohammed Dauda said he attempted to sell the car and phones in his possession but failed due to a lack of car particulars.
In a similar effort, the Corps has deployed 550 personnel across the 14 Local Government Areas of the state, as well as at worship centres, to maintain peace and order during the Christmas celebrations.
Commandant Mustapha explained that the personnel would be stationed at key locations to ensure a smooth and trouble-free holiday season.
“I wish to further use this medium to update the general public that in view of the forthcoming Christmas celebration, the command has already deployed five hundred and fifty (550) personnel in order to maintain peace and order across the fourteen (14) Local Government Areas of the State and worship centres.”