Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have dismantled a sophisticated car theft syndicate operating across multiple states in Nigeria.

The operatives apprehended 12 male suspects and recovered 22 stolen vehicles, in a major intelligence-led operation.

According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the case began in September 2024 following a report from one Enoch Daniel, who was robbed of his Toyota Hiace bus at Trailer Park in Onne.

Iringe-Koko noted that investigation by the command’s C4i Strike Force/Octopus team led to the arrest of key suspects, including John Amadi, 40, from Ogu/Bolo Local Council and Nna Goodluck, 45, from Khana Local Council, both ex-convicts. They were hired by one Godspower Okpa to steal vehicles using hammers and were paid N90,000 each for their roles in the crime.

Further investigation extended to Obibo, Kan, and Akwa Ibom, resulting in the arrest of other suspects identified as Yakubu Abdullah, 35, who was apprehended in Obibo during a pickup operation; Abdulkareem Saminu, 35, who was caught with two stolen vehicles; and Adamu Musa, a dismissed police officer from Akwa Ibom, who was found in possession of 11 stolen vehicles.

The police spokesperson stated that more investigation revealed that the syndicate was coordinated by one Falco Ibrahim, presently at large and operated across many states including Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta and Akwa Ibom.

Also arrested were Onyekachi Igwe, an ex-convict, and the syndicate’s Port Harcourt liaison, who confessed to earning over N5 million in eight months.

Other suspects include Ikechukwu Joseph and Michael Emerenwa, both auto electricians, who modified vehicles for export; Elijah Nwauwa Sunday, a self-styled pastor from Owerri, Imo State, who acted as the syndicate’s broker at Mgbuka-Obosi market in Onitsha; Samuel Ejigbo, an ex-convict and field operator in Port Harcourt; and Umar Jabbo, who was caught attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry.

She said: “These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers hostile to criminal syndicates. We call on residents to remain vigilant and support the police with credible information. All suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to arrest the ringleader and other fleeing accomplices.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of all residents. These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement.”

Reassuring the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, she urged residents to remain vigilant and support the police with credible information to prevent and combat crime. (The Guardian)

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