The Kano State Police Command says it has arrested a 42-year-old mechanic, Abubakar Yakubu, who allegedly absconded with his customer’s Mercedes-Benz after being given the car for repairs.
Police spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Kano.
Kiyawa said the suspect, a resident of Sharada Quarters, received the vehicle from a woman on August 28, 2025, under the pretext of repairing its air conditioner but disappeared with it.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, swiftly deployed tactical teams following the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to strengthen intelligence-led operations and patrols across the state.
“The suspect was traced to Kaduna State, where he sold the Mercedes-Benz and exchanged it for a Toyota Corolla after paying an additional N7 million. He was arrested and the Toyota Corolla recovered, while efforts are ongoing to trace the stolen Mercedes-Benz,” Kiyawa said.
The spokesman also said the Command is investigating another case reported on August 25, 2025, involving a Toyota Corolla allegedly sold under suspicious circumstances by one Ibrahim Garba from Kaduna.
According to him, a buyer from Mariri Quarters, Kano, paid N2.2 million for the vehicle, but during a test drive, he was accosted by people shouting “thief,” raising doubts about the car’s ownership.
Kiyawa said the vehicle had been impounded while investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents that the Command would continue to protect lives and property, and bring criminals to justice.
He commended the public for their cooperation and urged them to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
“The Command reiterates its commitment to ensuring a safer and more secure environment for all,” the statement added.