Abubakar Yakubu (42), an auto-technician is cooling his heels at the Bompai police headquarters, Kano, for selling his customer’s Mercedes Benz.
Abubakar had taken the vehicle from a female customer at the Sharada Quarters, Kano, but instead of repairing the car’s air conditioner, he absconded to Kaduna state, where he sold it and bought a Toyota Corolla.
But luck ran out on him as detectives attached to Kano State Police Command traced him to Kaduna.
He was eventually arrested and the Toyota Corolla he acquired recovered from him.
According to the Kano State Police Command spokesperson, Superintendent of Police, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa,: “On 28th August 2025, the Command received a report from a female resident of Sharada Quarters, Kano State, alleging that she had entrusted her Mercedes-Benz vehicle with Reg. No. BWR-442 (Abuja) to one Abubakar Yakubu, a 42-year-old male, for air conditioner repairs.
Instead of completing the repairs, the suspect absconded with the vehicle. Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, immediately deployed Tactical Teams that went after the case and apprehended the suspect and recovered the vehicle.”
Kiyawa further stated that investigation revealed that the suspect fled to Kaduna State, where he sold and swapped the Mercedes-Benz for a Toyota Corolla adding N7 million to complete the transaction.
The suspect was subsequently arrested, and the Toyota Corolla acquired in the fraudulent transaction has been recovered.
Kiyawa added that efforts are ongoing to recover the Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
The Kano Police Command spokesperson further stated that in a separate incident, on 25th August 2025, the Command received a report from a 48-year-old male resident of Mariri Quarters, Kano, who alleged that he was contacted by one Ibrahim Garba, purportedly from Kaduna State, offering to sell a Toyota Corolla.
The two parties agreed on a price of N2.2 million which the complainant paid in full before taking the vehicle for a test drive.
However, during the test drive, the complainant was chased away by individuals shouting “thief,” raising concerns about the legitimacy of the vehicle’s ownership.
The vehicle has since been impounded by the Police, and investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the case.
Kiyawa said: “In line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, to ensure round-the-clock visibility patrols and sustained intelligence-led, evidence-based and technology-driven operations, the Kano State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat criminal activities.”
However, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has assured residents of Kano State that the Command remains committed to ensuring the protection of lives and property, “and will continue to bring perpetrators of crime to justice.”
Mr. Bakori commended the public for their cooperation and support and urged all residents to remain vigilant.
“Suspicious activities or movements should be reported promptly to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency contact numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926
“The Kano State Police Command reiterates its dedication to fostering a safer and more secure environment for all,” Mr. Bakori said.
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