A Taraba -based car dealer, Yallah Kadara, has narrated his experience in the hands of a car-dealing syndicate, which led to his arrest by the police over a stolen vehicle.
Kadara and one other person were recently arrested by the Police anti-kidnapping squad in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital over an alleged stolen vehicle from Kano.
According to a statement from the Spokesman of the Nigeria Police, Taraba state Command, ASP James Lashen, the suspects were apprehended in Jalingo after a tip-off from the Police in Kano where the vehicle was alleged to have been stolen.
The statement read: “On 28/08/2025 at about 1050hrs, an information was received from the Commander Anti-Kidnapping Squad Kano State, that a Toyota Hilux without plate number, white in colour was stolen from the owner one Murtala Musa ‘m’ of NO 6 Dutse road Kano and headed towards Jalingo.
“Upon receipt of this information, operatives attached to Anti-Kidnapping Squad Taraba State, swung into action, intercepted the car along Dinyavo area Jalingo in the possession of one Yallah Kadara ‘m’ of Anguwan kasa and one Sa’ad Bello ‘m’ in connection with the case”.
But Kadara, who has since been released by the Police, condemned his arrest by the police and the allegations levelled against him.
Speaking with The Nation, Kadara described himself as “a legitimate businessman, well-known for my dealings in the buying and selling of vehicles of various kinds”.
He narrated his experience in the hands of car dealing syndicate which led to his arrest by the police.
He stated: “I received a call from a known associate who informed me of a vehicle that was up for sale. Acting in good faith, I promptly went to inspect the car. Upon my arrival, the vehicle owner was not immediately present, so I waited until he arrived. Once he did, I thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and after negotiations, we agreed upon a price, which for privacy and security reasons, shall remain undisclosed.
“As part of my standard due diligence, I requested the vehicle’s documents. However, upon inspection, I noticed that the chassis number on the document did not match the one on the vehicle frame. I immediately raised this observation, to which the seller responded by admitting that he had mistakenly brought the papers for a different vehicle specifically a black Hilux, while the one being sold was a white Hilux. He assured me that he would provide the correct documents shortly.
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“Given his assurance, we mutually agreed that I would make a part payment while withholding the balance until the correct documents were provided. This agreement was formalised, and both parties signed accordingly. I then transferred the agreed partial amount into the seller’s account.
“Less than four hours later, I received a disturbing call from an unknown individual claiming there was an issue with the vehicle in question and allegedly stating that it belonged to his father’s younger brother.
He therefore stated that “to label me the buyer as a thief or fraudster under these circumstances is not only false and defamatory, but it also reflects a grave misunderstanding of the facts. A person can only be accused of wrongdoing if they fail to fulfill their obligations, such as providing valid documentation or refusing to cooperate, none of which applies to me.”
Meanwhile, Kadara, who bought the vehicle, has been released by the police while the alleged stolen vehicle has been returned to the owner. Also, the alleged seller’s account has been frozen.
Efforts made to speak with the Spokesman, Nigeria Police, Taraba State Command, James Lashen (ASP), to confirm Kadara’s claim, proved abortive as he was unable to pick his calls.