Nigeria Police Probe Disappearance of Official SUV from Force Headquarters

The Nigeria Police Force has launched an internal investigation into the mysterious disappearance of one of its official vehicles, a Toyota Buffalo Land Cruiser, from its national headquarters in Abuja. The vehicle, which was attached to the Department of Operations at Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, reportedly went missing on July 28, 2025, after being allegedly removed from the official parking lot. The disappearance has raised serious concerns about security lapses within the police’s most secure operational base.

The development first came to public knowledge through an exclusive report by SaharaReporters on Sunday, which cited an internal wireless message circulated within the force. The alert, issued by the Commissioner of Police in charge of DFA, Katsina Command, was based on information provided by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja. According to the signal, the missing Toyota Buffalo SUV carries chassis number JTELU71JX0B027126 and registration number NPF 5594 D.

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The police message, which has since been widely shared among commands across the country, noted that the vehicle had been “involved in an accident” but clarified that it was ultimately declared missing after being taken from its parking space at the Force Headquarters. The statement partly read: “Grateful be informed that Sig. No. CR:3000/FDPS/FHQS/Abj/Vol.2/189 DTO: 271231/08/2025 received from Nigpol Dops Abuja that a police official’s vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser, was involved in an accident. JTELU71JX0B027126, Rec No. NPF 5594 D, attached to Department of Operations FHQ, Abuja was declared missing/stolen or removed from where parked on 28/07/2025 from parking lot of FHQ, Louis Edet House Abuja. Case is under investigation. Grateful disseminate to formations, area commands, and divisions for possible recovery. Inform mine for necessary action.”

Following the directive, all area commands, divisional police officers, and security formations nationwide have been placed on alert. They have been instructed to be on the lookout for the missing SUV, while field officers have been urged to treat the matter as a “very important” assignment. Sources within the police hinted that the seriousness of the directive suggests that senior officers at the Force Headquarters are embarrassed by the incident, given the sensitive nature of the vehicle’s disappearance from the highest office of the police establishment.

Observers note that the loss of an official vehicle, particularly from the national headquarters, raises troubling questions about the effectiveness of security measures at Louis Edet House. The headquarters is considered one of the most heavily guarded facilities in Abuja, with restricted access and continuous surveillance. For an SUV to vanish from such a secure location suggests either a serious breach in internal security protocols or complicity by insiders.

The timing of the incident has also attracted attention. The vehicle was reported missing on July 28, yet the internal police alert only began circulating weeks later. Analysts argue that the delay in public disclosure may have allowed whoever was responsible to move the vehicle farther away from detection. Others suggest that the delay reflects the reluctance of the police to make the embarrassing security breach immediately known.

The Toyota Buffalo Land Cruiser, known for its durability and use in rugged terrains, is often deployed for sensitive operations, including high-risk security assignments. Its disappearance has therefore sparked speculation about whether the theft was opportunistic or part of a more coordinated operation aimed at undermining the police. Security analysts warn that if the SUV were to fall into the wrong hands, it could be repurposed for criminal activities such as kidnappings, robberies, or impersonation of security forces.

Within the force, the investigation is being handled discreetly, but officers are under pressure to recover the vehicle quickly. The Inspector General of Police is said to have received regular briefings on the matter, with a directive that all formations prioritize intelligence gathering to track the SUV. Some officers privately expressed concern that the incident might lead to disciplinary actions, particularly if negligence on the part of security personnel at headquarters is established.

The incident has triggered discussions about accountability and the need for the police to tighten security not only for its assets but also for the integrity of its operations. Critics argue that if a vehicle can be stolen from the Force Headquarters, then ordinary police stations and commands across the country are even more vulnerable. Calls are mounting for the police leadership to conduct a wider audit of security arrangements within its establishments to prevent similar lapses.

Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have expressed disbelief and ridicule over the incident, questioning how a police vehicle could go missing from the very seat of police power in the country. Some users described the disappearance as a reflection of deeper systemic inefficiencies, while others used it to highlight broader concerns about insecurity nationwide.

As of now, the vehicle remains missing, but the police say investigations are ongoing. Security operatives have been instructed to escalate surveillance efforts, with checkpoints and patrol teams nationwide tasked with cross-checking suspicious vehicles matching the description. While the outcome of the probe remains uncertain, what is clear is that the disappearance has dealt a blow to the image of the Nigeria Police Force, raising pressing questions about trust, efficiency, and internal discipline within the organization.