The Rivers State Police Command said that its officers had uncovered a car theft network and arrested four individuals.
The command also recovered many stolen automobiles.
Blessing Agabe, the state police spokesperson, confirmed this in a statement released on Monday.
According to Agabe, the syndicate buys and sells stolen vehicles across the state.
He stated that the achievement was accomplished following the arrest of one Paul Nwabueze, who had been on the run for auto theft, and that his confession to the crime opened the door for operatives to track down his accomplices.
The statement reads, “Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on organized vehicle theft, with the arrest of members of the syndicate specialized in buying and selling of stolen vehicles and the recovery of the vehicles.
“This success is a direct result of intelligence-driven policing championed by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olugbenga Adepoju.
“On 10th April 2026 at approximately 17:50 hours, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested one Paul Nwabueze Jude (male, 46 years), a resident of Ogbogoro Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The suspect had been on the run following his involvement in a previously reported case of vehicle theft and the earlier arrest of his accomplice, one Uju Molokai (m), 32 years old, on 16th November, 2025.
“At the time, a stolen Toyota Hilux in his custody was successfully recovered, while the said Paul Nwabueze Jude evaded arrest. During the investigation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the earlier crime as well as several other vehicle theft operations.”
The state police further disclosed that the syndicate operates as a four-man gang, saying, “Acting on this confession and subsequent intelligence, operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit arrested other members of the gang and receivers of the vehicles.
“The suspects are Paul Nwabueze Jude (male, 46 years), a resident of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor LGA; Dike Micheal (m), a native of Imo State; Uzomba Darlington (m), 47 years old, a native of Abia State; and Emyinnaya Eugene (male), a native of Imo State. The exhibit recovered includes two (2) Toyota Hilux and three (3) Sienna vehicles.
“Investigations further revealed the existence of a key receiver of the stolen vehicles, who is believed to be in possession of additional stolen cars. Efforts are ongoing to arrest this individual and recover all other stolen vehicles in his possession.”
Meanwhile, Olugbenga Adepoju, the State Commissioner of Police, has encouraged the public to stay attentive and implement basic security measures to protect their vehicles and property, such as installing tracking and anti-theft devices and not leaving valuables exposed and unattended in their vehicles.
Adepoju also asked individuals to immediately report any suspicious actions to the nearest police station, emphasizing the importance of timely information in efficient crime prevention.
In the same vein, the Kano State Police Command recovered two stolen vehicles on Sunday after separate intelligence-led operations in the state’s Tarauni and Kumbotso Local Government Areas.
CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, the command’s police public relations officer, said the recoveries were part of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s, ongoing orders on intelligence-led policing and increased visibility patrols.
