The Enugu State Police Command said it has detained four suspects, recovered one vehicle stolen in Enugu and two snatched in Anambra, including one linked to a 2022 kidnap incident.
The command’s spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement in Enugu on Saturday, said the feat was achieved in separate intelligence-driven operations.
Mr Ndukwe said that on February 26, at about 5:30a.m., the command’s operatives attached to the Central Police Station, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, detained one Joseph Nsor, 22, at Chris Chemist Roundabout in Enugu.
He stated, “The suspect, who had arrived in Enugu the previous day without a fixed address, was apprehended while attempting to escape with a stolen Toyota Hiace bus, which he reportedly accessed and started using a master key.
“The vehicle was recovered and its owner identified, and the suspect was arraigned in court on February 27, and remanded in Enugu Correctional Centre.”
Mr Ndukwe said that in a separate operation on January 31 at about 6p.m., operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad detained Ugwuanyi Samuel, alias “Sammyblack” a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.
He stated, “He was found in possession of a red Toyota Camry (Spider) bearing a National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) plate number.
“Investigations revealed that the vehicle belonged to a female victim from Ogbunike, Anambra State, and was snatched in June 2022 after her son was abducted at gunpoint while driving the vehicle. The abducted son of the owner of the vehicle was later released upon payment of N500,000 ransom, with the vehicle carted away and repainted. “
The spokesman said that on January 24 at about 9 a.m., operatives of the same tactical squad, acting on intelligence, stormed New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu, and detained two suspects: Chinonso John, 27, and Samuel Nwankwor, 41, an ex-convict.
According to him, a red Toyota Matrix with marked AAH 785 AE was recovered.
He stated, “The suspects confessed to snatching the vehicle at gunpoint in Awka, Anambra State, on January 23 and to other operations involving a Lexus RX 350 and a Toyota Highlander. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.
“The remaining suspects and exhibits will be handed over to the State Police Command in Anambra State for further investigation and prosecution.”
Mr Ndukwe said that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and urged residents to provide credible information while adopting basic vehicle security measures.
(NAN)