The Kano State Police Command has recovered a Hyundai car stolen from a church premises in the state and returned it to its owner after an intelligence-led operation.
The gold-coloured vehicle, with registration number LAGOS AA 444 BL, was stolen on October 25 while its owner, identified as Mr Uchenna Emmanuel, attended a church service at St Thomas Church, Airport Road, Kano.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the vehicle was recovered three days after the incident.
Kiyawa said Emmanuel, a resident of Sabon Gari Quarters, reported that he had parked the car at the church at about 11am but discovered it was missing 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,” the statement said.
Following the complaint, operatives of the command’s Special Intervention Squad launched an intelligence-led search for the vehicle on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
The police spokesman said the vehicle was initially found parked within the premises of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital on October 26, but the person who allegedly brought 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,” Kiyawa said.
He added that the operatives mounted an ambush in an attempt to arrest the person who parked the vehicle at the hospital, but nobody came forward to claim it.
“Operatives laid ambush to arrest the person who parked the vehicle, but nobody surfaced to claim it,” the statement added.
The command said the vehicle was subsequently recovered on October 28 and taken to the Special Intervention Squad’s office for investigation before it was handed over to Emmanuel.
The vehicle owner’s appreciation was also conveyed in the statement, with Emmanuel commending the police for their prompt response and professionalism in recovering his car.
He urged motorists to take security precautions when parking in public places, including churches, markets and hospitals.
The Commissioner of Police also advised vehicle owners to install security devices such as tracking systems, pedal locks and steering locks to reduce the risk of theft.
Bakori further urged motorists to ensure that their vehicles were properly locked and secured whenever they were parked.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the suspects involved in the theft, while investigations continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
West Trybe reports that the recovery followed a police search that led investigators to the hospital premises a day after the vehicle was reported missing, although the person who left it there has yet to be identified.
