A 27-year-old driver, Aliyu Mohammed, has been arrested in Minna, Niger State, for allegedly stealing his boss’s Toyota Highlander.
The vehicle, a Toyota Highlander with the registration number LSR 102 GU, was taken from Lekki, Lagos, where Mohammed had been working as a driver for the past three years.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the arrest, with Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun providing details of the case in a statement released on Monday evening.
According to SP Abiodun, the police were tipped off about the stolen vehicle, which led to Mohammed’s arrest in Minna.
He was captured after a thorough investigation by the police, and it was during questioning that he confessed to stealing the vehicle.
During his interrogation, Mohammed revealed that he had driven his boss to the airport in Lagos before carrying out the theft.
To cover up his tracks, Mohammed lied to his boss, claiming he had been robbed on the Third Mainland Bridge while returning from the airport.
The suspect explained that he planned to sell the vehicle in Kaduna to raise the money he needed to pursue his dream of joining a football academy in Abuja.
Despite earning a monthly salary of N70,000, Mohammed claimed it was not enough to fund his aspirations of becoming a professional footballer.
In his own words, Mohammed stated: “I have been working with my boss for over three years, and he pays me seventy thousand naira a month. But I was not satisfied. I needed more money to join a football academy in Abuja, which is why I stole the vehicle.”
Mohammed’s confession sheds light on a growing trend of individuals resorting to extreme measures to achieve their goals. In this case, the driver believed that stealing his boss’s car was the only way to raise the money he needed to pursue his passion for football.
His actions have shocked many, especially considering his relatively stable job with a monthly salary.
Aliyu Mohammed’s desperate attempt to fund his football academy dream, however, ended in his arrest and a criminal charge.
The Toyota Highlander, which had been missing for several days, was eventually recovered by the police. The vehicle was returned to the owner after Mohammed’s arrest.
Aliyu Mohammed is currently being held at the TST unit of the Niger State Police Command, where he is undergoing further investigation.
SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, and Mohammed will face legal consequences for his actions.
Authorities have stressed the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, especially when they betray the trust of their employers.
“The suspect’s behavior shows a complete disregard for the trust his employer placed in him,” Abiodun said. “This is a clear case of theft, and we will ensure that justice is served.”
The arrest has sparked a range of reactions from the public, with many expressing disbelief at the driver’s actions.