Gombe: Police recover stolen vehicles, arrest 2 suspects as others flee

From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe

The Gombe State Police Command has announced the recovery of a Lexus Jeep that had been stolen from Abuja, repainted and remodeled to appear as a Toyota Prado.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the discovery followed credible intelligence received by a patrol team from Balanga Division on October 13, 2025.

He explained that the team intercepted a black Toyota Jeep with registration number ABUJA ABC 241 DW along the Bangu–Laura feeder road, conveying three male occupants under suspicious circumstances.

Upon sighting the police, the suspects attempted to escape, but their vehicle developed a flat tyre after a brief pursuit. One of the suspects reportedly attacked a police constable with a pestle before fleeing on a motorcycle, abandoning the vehicle at Laura Village. A thorough search led to the recovery of two sets of Lexus vehicle particulars, raising suspicion about the true identity of the vehicle.

Buhari stated that further inspection revealed that the SUV was originally a grey Lexus Jeep, repainted black and modified to resemble a Toyota Prado. “Investigation confirmed the vehicle had been stolen from Abuja on October 5, 2025, and reported at Nyanya Police Division,” the PPRO said, adding the Gombe Command collaborating with the FCT Police Command to track down the fleeing suspects and ensure justice is served.

Buhari added that in a separate operation, police operatives from Gombe Division arrested one Sani Bappari (45) of Mallam Inna Quarters for allegedly stealing a Honda Civic (ash colour) with registration number DKU 564 AA at Central Roundabout, Gombe. “The vehicle was recovered and secured as an exhibit while investigations continue,” he said.

Similarly, a locally made pistol and one live cartridge were recovered in Bolari Quarters, where a suspect, Augustine Nkwakoye, allegedly threatened to shoot a resident during an argument. “On 14th October, 2025 at about 1400hrs, a complainant (name withheld) of Bolari Quarters, Gombe, reported at the station that on the same date at about 0800hrs, he went to the shop of one Augustine Nkwakoye of the same address at Old Tipper Garage, Bolari Quarters, to buy a cigarette”.

“During the process, a misunderstanding ensued between them, which led to an exchange of words. In the course of the argument, the said suspect allegedly brought out a locally made pistol in his possession and threatened to shoot the complainant. He was, however, disarmed by an unknown customer present at the scene,” the PPRO stated, adding that the suspect has been taken into custody, and the case transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.