In a shocking security breach, a police vehicle has reportedly vanished from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, prompting an urgent manhunt and raising serious concerns over accountability within Nigeria’s top law enforcement body.
The vehicle, with chassis number JTELU71JX0B027126 and registration number NPF 5594 D, was declared missing on July 28, 2025, according to an internal wireless message relayed by the Commissioner of Police, Katsina Command, from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
How the Incident Came to Light
The disappearance was discovered during a routine audit of operational vehicles. Sources said the unit—believed to be a utility van used for rapid response—had been parked in a restricted section of the heavily guarded headquarters. Surveillance footage and access logs are now under review, while officers with parking clearance are being questioned.
Authorities Respond
A senior security source confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police has ordered a “discreet but wide-reaching” search. Tactical units across Abuja and neighbouring states have been alerted, while the police are also liaising with the DSS and FRSC to track movements that match the vehicle’s profile.
“We are taking this matter very seriously. The IGP has instructed all formations to be on the lookout. Every effort is being made to recover the vehicle and identify those responsible,” the source said.
Security Risks
Analysts warn that the implications go beyond theft. In recent years, criminal groups have used stolen or disguised security vehicles to carry out robberies, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks.
“An official police vehicle carries the authority of the state. In the wrong hands, it could be exploited to commit crimes under the guise of legitimate law enforcement,” said Dr. Kabiru Mohammed, a security analyst in Abuja.
Theories and Suspicions
Observers are divided on how such a breach could occur inside Nigeria’s most fortified police facility:
- Internal Complicity: Suspicions that insiders may have aided the disappearance.
- Security Lapse: Possible breakdown in CCTV monitoring or checkpoint controls.
- Targeted Theft: Speculation that the vehicle was deliberately targeted for its operational value.
Public Outrage
Nigerians have expressed disbelief and anger on social media.
“If a police vehicle can vanish from Force Headquarters, what hope do ordinary citizens have?” one user posted on X.
Civil society group SERAP called for a transparent investigation, warning that “security lapses of this magnitude at the highest level of law enforcement damage public trust.”
Wider Context
The incident comes amid ongoing insecurity nationwide—ranging from terrorism and banditry to kidnappings—at a time when confidence in law enforcement is already fragile. Analysts warn that failure to resolve the case swiftly could embolden criminal networks and further weaken police credibility.
Next Steps
The Inspector-General of Police is expected to brief the media in coming days. Meanwhile, checkpoints in Abuja and neighbouring states have been ordered to intensify vehicle inspections as the manhunt continues.