The Enugu State Police Command has recovered two vehicles stolen in separate incidents in Imo State, including a Lexus RX 300 SUV snatched during an armed robbery in 2018, and arrested three suspects linked to one of the cases.
- +Police recover vehicle stolen since 2018 in Enugu, arrest three
The command said the recoveries were made in separate operations carried out by its operatives in Enugu State.
The command said the recoveries were made in separate operations carried out by its operatives in Enugu State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the first operation was carried out on June 25 after a report that a commercial minibus with registration number AKL 969 AH had been snatched from its driver a day earlier in Okigwe, Imo State.
According to him, operatives of the Aninri Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, traced the vehicle to Onunweke, Ndeaboh, in Aninri Local Government Area, where the suspects abandoned it and fled on sighting the police.
“The vehicle was recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects,” the statement said.
In a separate operation on June 21, Ndukwe said a buyer reported to the Enugu Metro Area Command after purchasing a gold-coloured Lexus RX 300 SUV with registration number EZA 323 NF in Enugu.
“However, a verification by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) revealed that the vehicle had been flagged as stolen.
“Operatives immediately recovered the vehicle, while investigations established that it had been stolen during an armed robbery in Owerri, Imo State, in 2018.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of three male suspects: Chukwudi Ubani (the seller), Uchenna Obaji, and Nnamene Chukwudi, all residents of Enugu State,” the statement read.
The PPRO quoted the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, as commending the operatives for the successful operations and urging members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information.
The commissioner also advised intending buyers of used vehicles to verify ownership documents and confirm the status of vehicles with relevant authorities before making purchases.
He further urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles with the appropriate licensing authorities and the Nigeria Police Force Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) to facilitate the prompt detection and recovery of stolen vehicles.
