A marked Nigeria Police Force utility vehicle has mysteriously disappeared from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, raising serious concerns about internal security lapses at the nation’s highest law enforcement command center.
The headquarters, often described as one of Nigeria’s most secure facilities, accommodates senior police officers, sensitive administrative units, and critical operational assets. Despite its multiple layers of surveillance, checkpoints, and armed guards, the vehicle reportedly went missing on July 28, 2025, without immediate detection.
Details of the Missing Vehicle
According to an internal police wireless message issued by the Commissioner of Police (DFA, Katsina Command) on behalf of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), the vanished vehicle bears the registration number NPF 5594 D and chassis number JTELU71JX0B027126.
The vehicle, described as a utility van designed for rapid response operations, was last seen during a routine inventory check before it disappeared. Shockingly, it had been parked in a restricted parking zone, an area supposedly accessible only to authorized officers and staff
Police Launch Manhunt
In response, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has ordered a sweeping investigation. Tactical units across Abuja and neighboring states have been placed on high alert, while CCTV footage is being analyzed to track movements in and out of the headquarters.
Police insiders confirmed that officers and staff with access to the secured parking area are currently undergoing questioning to determine whether insider collusion played a role in the disappearance.
Security Implications
Security experts have sounded the alarm about the grave risks posed by the theft.
“An official police vehicle represents the authority of the state,” warned Dr. Kabiru Mohammed, an Abuja-based security analyst.
“In the wrong hands, it could be used to impersonate law enforcement officers and carry out crimes such as armed robbery, kidnappings, or even coordinated terrorist attacks.”
The prospect of criminals or insurgents gaining access to such an asset has amplified public anxiety.
Public Outrage and Calls for Accountability
News of the missing vehicle has sparked anger on social media, with Nigerians questioning how such a breach could happen at the very heart of the nation’s policing system.
One outraged citizen posted on X (formerly Twitter)
“If a police vehicle can vanish from Force Headquarters, how safe are ordinary Nigerians?”
Civil society groups, including the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have also waded into the controversy. In a public statement, the group urged the police leadership to conduct a transparent investigation, recover the stolen van, and hold those responsible especially any insiders accountable.
A Blow to Police Credibility
The incident is being widely described as a symbolic embarrassment to the Nigeria Police Force, undermining its credibility and raising troubling questions about its internal controls.
As the manhunt intensifies, Nigerians are anxiously awaiting answers: How did a marked police van disappear from the Force Headquarters itself, and who is responsible?
Until the truth emerges, the case stands as one of the most glaring security lapses in Nigeria’s recent history
