The Rivers State Police Command has arrested three men suspected of stealing and illegally selling a Toyota Corolla in Port Harcourt.
The arrests were made in the Ada George area after a Federal Road Safety Corps officer reported his vehicle missing, prompting a joint investigation by the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) and the Special Operations and Intelligence Team (SOIT).
Police spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the operation led to the recovery of the stolen car from its buyer.
According to the statement, officers traced the vehicle — a Toyota Corolla with registration number PHC 626 TX — and arrested the suspects: Christian Ihuigwe, John Ebus, and Barnabas, all residents of Port Harcourt.
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Verification by the vehicle’s owner, Prof. Karibo Bagshaw, revealed that the car had been stolen from his daughter in December 2024 by their former Bolt driver.
Iringe-Koko said all suspects and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the Special Investigation Department for further forensic examination, as investigators continue to track down additional accomplices linked to the crime.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, applauded the officers involved in the operation and reiterated the command’s commitment to combating theft and other criminal activities in the state. He urged residents to continue providing useful intelligence to aid police efforts.