Enugu Police Recover Two Vehicles Stolen in Imo, Arrest Three Suspects

The Enugu State Police Command has recovered two vehicles stolen in separate incidents in Imo State, including a Lexus RX 300 Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) snatched during an armed robbery in 2018, and arrested three suspects in connection with one of the cases.

The Command's Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Enugu.

He said the recoveries were made during separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the command, demonstrating the sustained commitment of the police to combating vehicle theft and other criminal activities.

According to him, the first operation took place on June 25, 2026, after police received information that a commercial minibus with registration number AKL 969 AH had been snatched from its driver a day earlier in Okigwe, Imo State.

Ndukwe said operatives attached to the Aninri Police Division, acting on credible intelligence, tracked the vehicle to Onunweke, Ndeaboh, in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, where the suspects abandoned it and fled on sighting the police.

"The vehicle was successfully recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects," he said.

The police spokesperson said that in another operation carried out on June 21, 2026, a complainant reported to the Enugu Metro Area Command that he had purchased a gold-coloured Lexus RX 300 SUV with registration number EZA 323 NF in Enugu.

He explained that a verification conducted 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 of the vehicle, Uchenna Obaji, and Nnamene Chukwudi, all residents of Enugu State," he said.

Ndukwe said the recovered vehicles and the arrested suspects would be handed over to the Imo State Police Command for further investigation and necessary legal action.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for the successful operations and urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible and timely information.

"He also advised intending buyers of used vehicles to verify ownership documents and the status of vehicles with the relevant authorities before purchase to avoid acquiring stolen vehicles," Ndukwe stated.

The commissioner 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.

According to him, the recovery of the Lexus RX 300 SUV underscores the importance of proper vehicle registration and verification in combating vehicle-related crimes.