Mechanic Arrested After Selling Client's Mercedes-Benz, Swapping It for Corolla
- A Kano mechanic, Abubakar Yakubu, was arrested for stealing a client's Mercedes-Benz that was entrusted to him for a routine air conditioning repair
- He fled to Kaduna, sold the luxury vehicle, and swapped it for a Toyota Corolla plus N7 million in cash before being tracked down by police
- However, fellow mechanics condemned the act as a severe betrayal of trust and noting that it damages the profession's reputation
A 42 year-old auto mechanic, Abubakar Yakubu, is in the custody of the Kano State Police Command after he allegedly stole a customer's high-end vehicle that was brought to him for a routine repair.
The dramatic incident occurred in the Unguwar Sharada area of Kano.
Source: Original
Man sells customer vehicle
According to police reports, a female client entrusted her Mercedes-Benz to Yakubu on August 28 for an air conditioning repair. Instead of fixing the vehicle, the mechanic allegedly absconded with it.
The Kano state Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, ordered a full-scale investigation into the disappearance.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed in a statement on Sunday that the suspect was tracked down to Kaduna State.
“Upon investigation, it was found that the mechanic had run to Kaduna where he sold the Mercedes-Benz brought to him for repair.”
“He swapped the stolen car with a Toyota Corolla and collected a change of N7 million. The police are continuing their investigation to locate and recover the stolen vehicle,” SP Kiyawa stated.
Source: Facebook
Mechanics react
Local mechanics in Kano have expressed shock and dismay, condemning the act as a severe violation of professional ethics.
Mallam Sani Mohammed, a master mechanic with over 20 years of experience in Sharada, expressed his outrage.
“This is a complete betrayal of trust. Our work is built on reputation. A customer brings us their property, often their second most valuable asset after their home, and expects us to care for it.”
“For one person to do this tarnishes the image of all honest mechanics. It is absolutely not a common practice. In my entire career, I have heard of it maybe once or twice. Most of us are hardworking and value our long term clients more than a quick, criminal gain.”
Sharing the same sentiment but offering a slightly different perspective, Engineer Habu, the owner of an auto workshop in Kano, acknowledged that while extremely rare, the temptation can exist.
“The value of the car is a major factor here. We are talking about a Mercedes-Benz, which commands millions. The financial pressure on an individual might lead them to consider such a desperate act, but it is never justified,” Engr. Habu said.
“It is actually very uncommon because it is a dead-end. Also there is no way you can hide a whole car; you will be caught, and your career and freedom are finished. This is a lesson for customers as well to always use reputable, well known workshops and ensure your paperwork is in order. And for mechanics, this is a reminder that short cuts lead to long jail terms,” he explained.
The suspect, Abubakar Yakubu, is expected to be charged to court upon the conclusion of the police investigation
Man arrested in Kano for lewd act
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a 24-year-old man, Shamsu Yakubu, was arrested by Kano Hisbah after a viral video showed him engaging in an obscene act with a she-goat.
The suspect claimed the act was staged to gain social media attention, though he denied actual contact with the animal.
Hisbah officials condemned the act and ordered mental and drug evaluations, warning against eroding Islamic and moral values for online fame.
Source: Legit.ng
Ibrahim Sofiyullaha (Editorial Assistant) Ibrahim Sofiyullaha is a graduate of First Technical University, Ibadan. He was the founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of a fast-rising campus journalism outfit at his university. Ibrahim is a coauthor of the book Julie, or Sylvia, written in collaboration with two prominent Western authors. He was ranked as the 9th best young writer in Africa by the International Sports Press Association. Ibrahim has contributed insightful articles for major platforms, including Sportskeeda in the UK and Motherly in the United States. Email: ibrahim.sofiyullaha@corp.legit.ng
Usman Bello Balarabe (Kano Correspondent) Kano's regional correspondent, Usman Bello Balarabe is a journalist, media strategist, and university lecturer in the state. He worked as an investigative journalist with Daily Trust Newspaper Nigeria. His career is passionately geared towards stimulating social justice, exposing corruption, ensuring good governance and accountability. In his over 7 years of journalism practice, he has authored investigations and numerous special and beat reports at the intersection of environment, health, education, agriculture, public spending, security, and politics.
