The Kano State Police Command has recovered a Hyundai car stolen from a church in the state and returned it to its owner, three days after the incident.
The vehicle, a gold-coloured Hyundai with registration number LAGOS AA 444 BL, belonged to Uchenna Emmanuel, who reported it missing after attending a church service at St Thomas Church, Airport Road, Kano, on October 25.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, explaining that the owner had parked the vehicle at the church around 11am but could not find it after the service.
“Emmanuel, a resident of Sabon Gari Quarters, reported that he parked the car at the church at about 11am but discovered it was missing when he returned after the service,” Kiyawa said.
He explained that operatives of the command’s Special Intervention Squad commenced an intelligence-led operation to trace the vehicle following the report, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to him, the vehicle was initially discovered on October 26 within the premises of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, although the individual who took it there could not be identified.
“The vehicle was found parked within the premises of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on October 26, but the person who brought it there could not be identified,” he stated.
Kiyawa added that police operatives subsequently mounted an ambush in an attempt to apprehend the person responsible for abandoning the vehicle, but nobody came forward.
The vehicle was eventually recovered on October 28 and taken to the squad’s office for investigation before it was handed over to Emmanuel.
The police spokesman said the vehicle owner appreciated the command’s swift response and professionalism.
Emmanuel also advised motorists to adopt better security measures when parking in public spaces, particularly around churches, markets and hospitals.
The Commissioner of Police urged vehicle owners to install tracking devices and additional security equipment, including pedal and steering locks, while ensuring their vehicles were properly secured.
The command, however, said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that investigations into the incident had not been concluded.
The recovery comes days after the Ogun State Police Command announced the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, ammunition and a Mercedes-Benz GLK during a follow-up operation linked to a robbery incident in Ota, Ogun State.
