Nigerian held for ‘hot car’

MANILA, Philippines - A 26-year-old Nigerian man was arrested for driving a stolen car along Roxas Boulevard’s service road in Manila Monday afternoon.

Basharo Galadima, who claimed to be a business economics student at the Far Eastern University, was apprehended after the car’s owner reported the theft to the Manila Police District (MPD).

Carl Julius Federico, 34, said Galadima stole his Mazda 2 (POM-108) on Dec. 15 as they were negotiating its sale at a restaurant in Manila.  

He said he agreed to meet with the suspect in person after initially exchanging emails.

Federico said he handed Galadima the car keys when he asked to test the car. Just as Federico was ordering food, the suspect went out of the restaurant, claiming he wanted to smoke, but ran away with the car.

On Monday afternoon, Police Officers 1 Alde Salazar and Mark Lorenzo spotted the suspect driving the Mazda. They tried to check on Galadima, who left the vehicle along Roxas Boulevard’s service road and ran toward Baywalk.

When the police officers caught him, Galadima denied he stole the car.

A check with the MPD’s general assignment and investigation section revealed that Galadima was booked for failing to pay his bill at a motel in Sta. Mesa.

Galadima is currently billeted at the Golden Mango Inn in Bocobo.

He was also charged with theft by a fellow Nigerian but settled the case amicably, according to Police Officer 3 Jayjay Jacob.

A source at the MPD told The STAR that they are checking whether Galadima could be a member of an African drug syndicate and his enrollment in a school is meant to legalize his stay in the country.