Police Smash Interstate Car Theft Ring in Rivers, Recover 22 Stolen Vehicles

The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a high-profile interstate car theft syndicate, arresting 12 suspects and recovering 22 stolen vehicles in an intelligence-driven operation spanning several states.
Police spokesperson SP Grace Iringe-Koko said the crackdown followed a September 2024 report from a victim, Enoch Daniel, whose Toyota Hiace bus was stolen at Trailer Park, Onne. Investigations by the C4i Strike Force/Octopus team traced the theft to an organised network operating across Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta, and Akwa Ibom.
Among those arrested were two ex-convicts — John Amadi (40) from Ogu/Bolo and Nna Goodluck (45) from Khana — allegedly hired by Godspower Okpa to steal vehicles using hammers, each receiving ₦90,000 per job.
The operation also led to the arrest of, Yakubu Abdullah (35) in Obibo, during a vehicle pickup, Abdulkareem Saminu (35) with two stolen cars and Adamu Musa, a dismissed police officer from Akwa Ibom, found with 11 stolen vehicles
Police said the ring was coordinated by Falco Ibrahim, now on the run. Another key suspect, Onyekachi Igwe, the Port Harcourt liaison, confessed to earning over ₦5 million in eight months.
Other members of the syndicate included auto electricians Ikechukwu Joseph and Michael Emerenwa, who modified vehicles for export; Elijah Nwauwa Sunday, a self-proclaimed pastor who brokered sales at Mgbuka-Obosi market in Onitsha; Samuel Ejigbo, an ex-convict and field operator in Port Harcourt; and Umar Jabbo, caught trying to buy a stolen Toyota Camry.
“These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers State hostile to criminal syndicates,” Iringe-Koko said. “All suspects will be charged to court, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend the ringleader and other fleeing members.”
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible intelligence, stressing that dismantling such networks is key to restoring public trust in law enforcement.

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