Police smash four-man car theft ring in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have smashed a car theft syndicate and arrested four suspects linked to the crime.

The command also recovered several stolen vehicles.

This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, on Monday.

Agabe said the syndicate specialised in buying and selling stolen vehicles across different parts of the state.

He added that the breakthrough followed the arrest of one Paul Nwabueze, who had been on the run for car theft, noting that his confession helped operatives track down his accomplices.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on organised vehicle theft, with the arrest of members of a syndicate specialised in buying and selling stolen vehicles, as well as the recovery of stolen 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, Uju Molokai (male, 32 years), on 16th November 2025.

“At the time, a stolen Toyota Hilux in his custody was recovered, while Paul Nwabueze Jude evaded arrest. During interrogation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the earlier crime, as well as several other vehicle theft operations.”

The police spokesperson further disclosed that the syndicate operates as a four-man gang, saying: “Acting on this confession and subsequent intelligence, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested other members of the gang and receivers of the stolen vehicles.

“The suspects are Paul Nwabueze Jude (male, 46 years), resident of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor LGA; Dike Michael (male, 46 years), a native of Imo State; Uzomba Darlington (male, 47 years), a native of Abia State; and Emynaya Eugene (male), a native of Imo State. Exhibits recovered include two Toyota Hilux vehicles and three 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 the individual and recover all other stolen vehicles in his possession.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has urged members of the public to remain vigilant and adopt basic security measures to protect their vehicles and property. He advised residents to install tracking and anti-theft devices and avoid leaving valuables exposed or unattended in their vehicles.

Adepoju further encouraged citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, noting that timely information is vital to effective crime prevention.

Recall that on Sunday, the Kano State Police Command also recovered two stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations conducted in Tarauni and Kumbotso Local Government Areas of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the recoveries were part of ongoing directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on intelligence-led policing and enhanced visibility patrols.