Taraba Car Dealer Vindicated After Wrongful Arrest in Stolen Vehicle Case

By Nick Yashi, Jalingo

A Taraba-based car dealer, Yallah Kadara, has been released by police and cleared of any wrongdoing after being wrongfully arrested in connection with a stolen vehicle, a situation he claims was the result of a transaction with a deceptive syndicate.

Kadara and another individual were recently apprehended by the Police Anti-Kidnapping Squad in Jalingo following a tip-off from the Kano State Police Command regarding a stolen white Toyota Hilux.

According to a statement from the Taraba State Police Spokesman, ASP James Lashen, operatives intercepted the vehicle in the Dinyavo area of Jalingo after receiving information that it had been stolen from an owner in Kano.

However, Kadara, now free, has strongly condemned the arrest and allegations, maintaining his innocence and detailing a transaction he believed was legitimate.

In an interview, Kadara described himself as "a legitimate businessman, well-known for my dealings in the buying and selling of vehicles of various kinds," and provided his account of the event.

"I received a call from a known associate who informed me of a vehicle for sale. I went to inspect it, negotiated a price with the seller, and agreed to a partial payment pending the provision of the correct documents," he stated.

Kadara explained that a critical red flag emerged during the transaction: the chassis number on the presented document did not match the vehicle. The seller claimed he had accidentally brought the papers for a different car, a black Hilux, and assured Kadara he would provide the correct documents for the white Hilux shortly. Kadara was convinced by an envelope labeled "black and white Hilux," which led him to believe the correct papers were simply misfiled.

"Given his assurance, we mutually agreed that I would make a part payment while withholding the balance until the correct documents were provided," Kadara said. "Less than four hours later, I received a disturbing call from an unknown individual claiming there was an issue with the vehicle."

He revealed a surprising familial connection at the heart of the case: "The person that brought the car for sale from Kano and the owner of the said vehicle are related; his father and the car owner are both from the same father and the same mother."

"At no point was there any indication the vehicle was stolen," Kadara asserted. "I acted transparently, responsibly, and within the confines of the law. To label me as a thief under these circumstances is false and defamatory."

The stolen vehicle has been returned to its rightful owner in Kano. Meanwhile, police have frozen the seller's bank account pending the refund of Kadara's partial payment.

Efforts to get further comments from the Taraba State Police Command were unsuccessful, as ASP Lashen James did not respond to repeated calls.

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