Crime Watch

Suspected thief apprehended while driving stolen car to visit his parents in village

A young man identified as Nathaniel Andrew, has been apprehended for allegedly stealing a car and driving it to his hometown in Niger state.

Operatives of the state police command recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla vehicle in Minna, which Andrew drove to visit his aged parents.

Police spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on Friday, said the suspect was arrested by police officers on patrol along the Minna-Suleja road as he was heading to Gbaiko to see his parents.

Car thief drive to visit parents

He said the incident happened on January, 3 2024 around 5pm. The 32-year-old man was said to have attempted to sell the spare tyre to get money to repair the vehicle after it broke down during his journey.

The statement read; “On 03/01/2024 at about 1700hrs, the Police patrol team attached to Paiko Division arrested one Nathaniel Andrew aged 32yrs of Gbaiko area of Minna, with a Toyota Corolla LE vehicle, red in colour without a registration number suspected to have been stolen.

“The suspect was arrested along Minna-Suleja road, when he was sighted on the highway by the patrol team, driving a vehicle without registration number.

“The vehicle developed a mechanical fault on the way and he attempted to sell the spare tyre in order to repair the vehicle, as he claimed that he had no money in his possession.

“These actions were suspicious and he was arrested. During interrogation, he confessed that he stole the vehicle from the Central Area, Abuja and that he was driving the vehicle to Gbaiko to visit his parents.

“He claimed that he met the vehicle key on the door of the car, and he used the key to drive the vehicle away to Minna. He said he was planning to sell the vehicle soon in Kaduna before his arrest. The suspect has been transferred to the Crack Squad unit for further investigation and prosecution.”