Two ex-convicts, Hassan Bala (30) of Epigi-Lunko, Garatu Ward, Bosso LGA and Hamza Adamu (32) of Gwada area, Shiroro LGA of Niger State have been arrested for allegedly trying to steal a car at the Mandela area of Minna, Niger State capital.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman said one of the suspects, Hassan Bala was arrested at a residence around the Mandela area of Minna when he jumped through the fence to gain access to the compound and attempted to steal a vehicle there-in.
He said the suspect made the move to steal the vehicle after he had observed and studied the residence for some time.
The commissioner of police said during interrogation, the suspect claimed that he got the information about the vehicle from one Dodo, while he also mentioned one Hamza Adamu as his accomplice who was waiting to receive the vehicle for disposal at Kaduna.
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The principal suspect was said to have confessed that he met Hamza at the Minna New Correctional Centre in 2017 while serving a one-year jail term for theft-related offences.
He was also said to have confessed that they later met at the Minna popular Gwari market where they perfected their relationship with the exchange of phone numbers for further collaboration in theft and criminal activities.
The commissioner of police said the two convicts had perpetrated several thefts of motorcycles around the Bishimi/Kafin-Koro areas as well as theft of transformer cables at Gwada, Sabon-Wuse, and Maje respectively.
Mr Danmamman revealed that the principal suspect, Hassan also told the police that three years ago, he conspired with the said Dodo and Hamza to steal a Toyota Corolla vehicle in the Garatu area and sold it at Kaduna, leading to their arrest and conviction while the vehicle was recovered by the police.
