A notorious gang of thieves, including an ex-convict, who specialized in stealing motor vehicles, motorcycles, and domestic animals, has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, explained that the arrest was made possible through intelligence gathering and a swift response by the police.

In a statement on Thursday, he said, “On March 7, 2025, at about 3:00 am, a black Golf Wagon vehicle with registration number X MG 102 AAA Jigawa was spotted parked by the roadside near Gidan Tilo village along the Shuwarin-Kiyawa road, Kiyawa LGA.”

The statement further explained that the vehicle was suspected to have been abandoned by unidentified criminals preparing to commit a crime, and that upon receipt of the report, a patrol team was dispatched to the scene.

Adam stated that upon the police’s arrival at the scene, one Alhassan Isiyaku, alias Tata, a 20-year-old resident of Tashar Yada quarters, Shuwarin town, Kiyawa LGA, was found hiding in the vehicle.

He explained that Isiyaku was arrested and brought to the station along with the vehicle, while a search of the vehicle revealed a bag containing incriminating items, including master keys, ropes, an iron cutter, a padlock, and a flog spanner.

The PPRO stated that during interrogation, Isiyaku confessed to specializing in animal rustling, tricycle theft, motorcycle theft, and motor vehicle theft. He also mentioned an accomplice, Umar Abdullahi, who was later apprehended.

Abdullahi, he said, confessed to specializing in the theft of solar batteries and electric armored cables, stressing that, interestingly, according to the Jigawa Police, Isiyaku had previously been arrested on February 21, 2025, for stealing a Mazda 323 Model with registration number MNA 139HK Niger State.