By Victoria Yakubu
The Police Command in Kano State has recovered a Hyundai car stolen from a church premises along Airport Road and returned it to its owner following a three-day investigation.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Abdullahi Kiyawa, the vehicle was stolen on October 25 while its owner, Mr Uchenna Emmanuel, was attending Sunday service at St Thomas Church, Kano.
The statement said Emmanuel had parked his gold-coloured Hyundai car, with registration number LAGOS AA 444 BL, within the church premises at about 11 a.m. but discovered it was missing when he returned after the service.
Following the report, operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS), acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, launched an intelligence-led operation to recover the vehicle and track down those responsible.
The Police said the vehicle was sighted on October 26, parked within the premises of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), by an unidentified person.
According to the statement, the operatives mounted an ambush in an attempt to arrest whoever had brought the vehicle to the hospital. However, no one came forward to claim it.
The vehicle was eventually recovered on October 28 and taken to the SIS office for investigation before being returned to its owner.
Emmanuel commended the Police for their prompt response and professionalism, while urging motorists to take necessary security precautions when parking in public places, particularly at churches, markets and hospitals.
Bakori also advised motorists to install security devices, including vehicle trackers and pedal or steering locks, and ensure their vehicles were properly locked whenever parked.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects, adding that investigations into the incident were continuing.
