Police bust three-man car theft syndicate in Rivers

FILE: A Nigerian policeman

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The Rivers State Police Command says its officers have arrested three suspected car thieves in the Ada George axis of Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The command revealed that the arrest followed a report of a stolen vehicle by a policeman attached to the Federal Road Safety Corps, after which a special police team launched an investigation.

Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday.

She noted that the investigation yielded results, as officers also recovered the stolen vehicle from the buyer, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest others connected to the crime.

The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command, in a significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat car theft and other organised crimes in the state, has arrested three suspects in connection with a stolen car.

“On November 7, 2025, at about 0800hrs, a joint team of operatives from the Electronic Central Motor Registry and the Special Operations and Intelligence Team successfully recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. PHC 626 TX, Engine No. IZZ997375, Chassis No. 2T1BR32E44C280137, and arrested three suspects involved in the suspicious sale of the car.”

Iringe-Koko disclosed that the operation followed a formal complaint lodged by an officer attached to the Federal Road Safety Corps, Rivers State Sector Command, who presented the car particulars, including a sales agreement and proof of ownership.

“Verification by Prof. Karibo Bagshaw, the rightful owner of the vehicle, confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from his daughter in December 2024 by their former Bolt driver,” she said.

She identified the arrested suspects as Christian Ihuigwe, John Ebus and Barnabas, all residents of Port Harcourt.

“The suspects and exhibits have been transferred to the Special Investigation Department, in line with the Commissioner of Police’s directives, for further forensic analysis.

“Intensive efforts are ongoing to apprehend other potential accomplices at large, and updates will be made known publicly.

“The suspects will face prosecution upon completion of thorough investigations,” she added

Commenting on the arrests, the state Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, reaffirmed the command’s “steadfast commitment” to safeguarding lives and property.

Adepoju commended the diligence of the officers and urged citizens to share credible information with security agencies to help curb crime.

The development comes barely a week after the command arrested two suspected car snatchers and recovered two stolen vehicles.

In an earlier statement last Sunday, the command disclosed that operatives of the C4I Intelligence Unit apprehended the two suspects — 43-year-old Abubakar Abdulsalam and 35-year-old Shagari Shehu — on November 20, 2025, following credible intelligence that led officers to their location.

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