Enugu Police Recover Stolen Vehicles, Apprehend Three Suspects

The Enugu State Police Command has successfully recovered two vehicles stolen from Imo State, marking a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat vehicle theft and organized crime

In a statement released on Sunday, the police command detailed two separate operations that led to the recovery of a commercial minibus and a luxury SUV.

The first recovery occurred on June 25, following a report of a minibus that had been forcibly taken from its driver in Okigwe, Imo State, just one day prior. Acting on intelligence, officers from the Aninri Police Division tracked the vehicle to Onunweke, Ndeaboh, where the suspects abandoned the minibus and fled the scene upon spotting law enforcement. Police efforts to apprehend the fleeing individuals remain ongoing.

In a separate operation on June 21, authorities acted on information provided by a resident who had purchased a gold-coloured Lexus RX 300 SUV in Enugu.

When the buyer attempted to verify the vehicle’s documentation, a check with the Federal Road Safety Corps revealed it had been flagged as stolen. Further investigation confirmed the SUV was taken during an armed robbery in Owerri, Imo State, in 2018. Following this discovery, police arrested three men Chukwudi Ubani, Uchenna Obaji, and Nnamene Chukwudi in connection with the transaction.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for their diligence and urged the public to continue providing timely information to help curb criminal activities.

The command has issued a strong advisory to the public, urging anyone planning to purchase a used vehicle to rigorously verify ownership documents and confirm the status of the vehicle with relevant authorities. Furthermore, the police are encouraging vehicle owners to register their automobiles with the Electronic Central Motor Registry to assist in the swift identification and recovery of stolen property.