The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a suspected vehicle theft syndicate operating across parts of the state and arrested four suspects linked to the network, alongside the recovery of several stolen vehicles.
The Command said the suspects were involved in buying, selling, and distributing stolen vehicles within and outside Rivers State.
Police Public Relations Officer, Blessing Agabe, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, April 27, 2026, noting that the breakthrough followed sustained intelligence-led operations against organized vehicle theft.
According to the Command, the operation was triggered by the arrest of a suspect, Paul Nwabueze Jude, who had been on the run over his alleged role in a prior vehicle theft case.
He was arrested on Thursday, April 10, 2026, at about 17:50hrs by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) in Ogbogoro community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Investigations showed Jude had earlier evaded arrest after his alleged accomplice, Uju Molokai, was arrested on November 16, 2025, during which a stolen Toyota Hilux was recovered.
Following his arrest, Jude reportedly confessed to additional operations, leading investigators to other members of the syndicate.
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Acting on the information, police arrested three others identified as Dike Michael, 46; Uzomba Darlington, 47; and Emyinnaya Eugene.
The Command said the group operated as a coordinated network involved in stealing and moving vehicles through receivers across different locations.
Recovered exhibits include two Toyota Hilux vehicles and three Toyota Sienna vehicles.
Police also said investigations have identified a suspected principal receiver believed to be in possession of additional stolen vehicles, with efforts ongoing to arrest him and recover more cars.
Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, urged residents to enhance vehicle security, install tracking devices, and avoid leaving valuables in parked vehicles.
He also stressed timely reporting of suspicious activity, noting that community cooperation remains vital to crime prevention.
In a related development, the Kano State Police Command announced the recovery of two stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations in Tarauni and Kumbotso Local Government Areas, as part of ongoing nationwide intelligence-driven policing efforts.