Police Nab 4 Suspected Car Snatchers, Recover 5 Vehicles In Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested four members of a car snatching syndicate and recovered five vehicles in different parts of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Blessing Agabe, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt yesterday, said members of the syndicate were also involved in the buying and selling of stolen vehicles.

The statement said a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on organised vehicle theft came on 10 April 2026, when Operative Command’s Response Unit (VCRU), acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Paul Nwabueze Jude.

It stated that Jude, male and aged 46 years, is a resident of Ogbogoro Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, had been on the run following his involvement in a previously reported case of vehicle theft and the earlier arrest of his accomplice, one Uju Molokai, male and aged 32 years, on 16 November 2025.

The statement read in part: “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, one Uju Molokai (m), 32 years, on 16 November 2025.

“At the time, a stolen Toyota Hilux in his custody was successfully recovered, while the said Paul Nwabueze Jude evaded arrest.

“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to his involvement in the earlier crime as well as several other vehicle theft operations. He further disclosed that the syndicate operates as a four-person gang.

“Acting on this confession and subsequent intelligence, operatives of the command Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) arrested other members of the gang and receivers of the vehicles.

“The names of the suspects are: one Paul Nwabueze Jude (male, 46 years), resident of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor LGA, Dike Micheal (male, 46years), a native of Omo state, Uzomba Darlington (male, 47 years old, a native of Abia State, Emyinnaya Eugene (male), a native of Imo State. The exhibit recovered includes two (2) Toyota Hilux and three (3) Toyota Sienna vehicles.

“Investigations further revealed the existence of a key receiver of the stolen vehicles, who is believed to have additional stolen cars. Efforts are ongoing to arrest this individual and recover all other stolen vehicles in his possession.

“The Commissioner of Police Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, urges members of the public to remain vigilant and adopt basic security measures to protect their vehicles and property, install tracking and anti-theft devices and avoid leaving valuables exposed, unattended in their vehicles.

“The Commissioner of Police encourages citizens to promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station, as timely information is vital to effective crime prevention.”