The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old mechanic, Mubarak Muktar, after he was allegedly found with a stolen Kia Optima valued at N8 million.
The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the police said the vehicle, a black 2014 model, was stolen on October 4, 2026, after the owner’s wife parked it outside Ziha Health Care in Karkasara Quarters, Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano State.
“The owner of the vehicle, who resides in Sharada Phase II, reported to the police that the car was stolen at about 6:00 pm on October 4, 2026,” the statement said.
Following the complaint, operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad, SIS, launched an intelligence-led investigation to recover the vehicle and identify those responsible.
The police said the operation led to Muktar’s arrest at Farm Centre Garage in Tarauni on October 18, where he was allegedly found in possession of the stolen car.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was the mechanic responsible for the vehicle and was found with it at his garage,” the statement said.
The command added that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the theft.
It said the recovered vehicle was handed back to its rightful owner after the police verified ownership.
The owner reportedly expressed gratitude to the police for recovering the car.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the officers involved in the operation, describing the recovery as part of the Command’s efforts to tackle property-related crimes under Operation Kukan Kura.
“Vehicle owners should be cautious about the mechanics they engage and ensure they use trusted and verified professionals. They should also improve the security of their vehicles by installing devices such as pedal locks and tracking systems and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” Bakori advised.