The Enugu State Police Command has recovered two vehicles stolen in separate incidents in Imo State, including a Lexus RX 300 SUV stolen during an armed robbery in Owerri in 2018, and arrested three suspects in connection with the recoveries.

The command said the breakthroughs were recorded in separate operations by its operatives as part of ongoing efforts to curb vehicle theft and other related crimes.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said one of the recovered vehicles was a commercial minibus recently snatched from its driver in Okigwe, Imo State, while the other was the Lexus RX 300 SUV stolen eight years ago during an armed robbery in Owerri.

According to the statement, operatives attached to the Aninri Police Division recovered the commercial minibus, bearing registration number AKL 969 AH, on June 25, 2026, following credible intelligence.

The police said the vehicle had been stolen from its driver a day earlier in Okigwe, Imo State.

The police said the operatives traced the vehicle to Onunweke, Ndeaboh, in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, where the suspects abandoned it and fled upon sighting the police team.

“The vehicle was recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects,” the statement added.

In a separate operation, the police said a complainant had on June 21, 2026, reported to the Enugu Metro Area Command that he purchased a gold-coloured Lexus RX 300 SUV with registration number EZA 323 NF in Enugu.

However, a verification conducted by the Federal Road Safety Corps revealed that the vehicle had been flagged as stolen.

The police subsequently recovered the vehicle and launched an investigation, which established that it had been stolen during an armed robbery in Owerri, Imo State, in 2018.

Further investigation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Chukwudi Ubani, alleged to have sold the vehicle, alongside Uchenna Obaji and Nnamene Chukwudi, all residents of Enugu State.

The command said the recovered vehicles and the suspects would be handed over to the Imo State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Commending the operatives for the successful operations, the commissioner of police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support the fight against crime.

He also advised Intending buyers of used vehicles to verify ownership documents and confirm the status of vehicles with relevant authorities before making purchases to avoid acquiring stolen property.

The police commissioner further encouraged vehicle owners to register their vehicles with the appropriate licensing authorities and the Nigeria Police Force Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), noting that such registration enhances the prompt detection and recovery of stolen vehicles. (The Nation)

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