The Rivers State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a suspected vehicle theft network operating within the state, leading to the arrest of several individuals and the recovery of stolen vehicles.
The development was made known in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Agabe Blessing Kaborlo. She explained that the success followed a series of intelligence-driven operations carried out by the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit.
According to the police, the operation gained significant momentum on April 10, 2026, when operatives arrested a 46-year-old suspect, Paul Nwabueze Jude, in Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The suspect had previously evaded arrest in connection with a vehicle theft case reported in 2025, during which a stolen Toyota Hilux was recovered after one of his accomplices was apprehended.
Investigators revealed that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to his involvement in the earlier incident and provided information that helped authorities track down other members of the syndicate, as well as individuals suspected of receiving stolen vehicles.
“During investigation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the earlier crime as well as several other vehicle theft operations,” the statement noted.
Further arrests led to the identification of other members of the group, namely Dike Michael, Uzomba Darlington, and Enyinnaya Eugene. The police described the suspects as part of a four-man syndicate engaged in the theft and resale of vehicles.
Items recovered from the suspects include two Toyota Hilux vehicles and three Sienna buses, believed to have been stolen during separate operations.
The Command also disclosed that investigations have uncovered another key figure suspected of harbouring additional stolen vehicles. Efforts are currently underway to locate and apprehend the individual.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, advised residents to take proactive measures to safeguard their vehicles and other valuables. He recommended the installation of tracking systems and the adoption of other anti-theft strategies.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies without delay, stressing that “timely information is vital to effective crime prevention.”
