Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Rivers police nab three suspected car thieves

According to the CP, the suspects will face prosecution upon completion of thorough investigations.

• December 7, 2025
COP Rivers state Olugbenga Adepoju
COP Rivers state Olugbenga Adepoju

A joint team of operatives in Rivers State has arrested three suspected car thieves over the sale of a Toyota Corolla stolen in November 2024.

Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Sunday, said the arrested suspects are Christian Ihuigwe, John Ebus, and Barnabas, all residents of Port Harcourt.

Mrs Iringe-Koko said the command, “in a significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to combat car theft and other organised crimes in the state, has arrested three suspects in connection with a stolen car.

“On November 7, 2025, at about 0800hrs, a joint team of Operatives from the Electronic Central Motor Registry (ECMR) and Special Operations and Intelligence Team (SOIT) successfully recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. PHC 626 TX, Engine No. IZZ997375, Chassis No. 2T1BR32E44C280137, and arrested three suspects involved in the sale of the car in a suspicious manner.”

Mrs Iringe-Koko said the operation followed a formal complaint lodged by an officer attached to the sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Port Harcourt, adding that the complainant also presented the car particulars, including a sales agreement and proof of ownership.

“Verification by Prof. Karibo Bagshaw, the rightful owner of the vehicle, confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from his daughter in December 2024 by their former bolt driver. The suspects and exhibits have been transferred to the Special Investigation Department (SID) in line with the Commissioner of Police directives for further forensic analysis,” she added.

Stating that intensive efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices at large, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, said the suspects will face prosecution upon completion of thorough investigations.

Mr Adepoju, while reaffirming the command’s steadfast commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property, also commended the diligence of the operatives and urged citizens to share credible information with the police and other security agencies to curb such crimes.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Central Bank of Nigeria Logo

Economy

Banks’ assets hit N180.37 trillion: Report

The report said deposit money banks in Nigeria contributed 41.8 per cent to the country’s nominal gross domestic product (GDP).

Troops

States

Troops kill terrorist commander, foil attacks in Zamfara, Katsina

Troops killed a notorious terrorist commander and foiled attacks in two states.

Anastasiia Berezovska

World

Woman suspected in Monaco bomb attack found dead near Kyiv

Ukrainian prosecutors said her body was found near Kyiv, with a gunshot wound to the head.

Cyril Ramaphosa (Credit: Daily Maverick)

Africa

Xenophobic Attacks: Ghana govt defers Ramaphosa’s planned state visit

”We sent them a communication indicating that it would be best to defer the visit in view of the present climate around xenophobia,” Mr Ofosu said.

ICPC

Abuja

ICPC arrests El-Rufai’s doctor over alleged abuse of court approved medical visit

Mr Odey said the doctor was arrested because he allegedly made false statements regarding a court-approved medical visit.

World

UNHRC adopts first-ever resolution linking human rights, neglected diseases

The landmark move is expected to strengthen global efforts to eliminate the diseases and improve the lives of more than one billion affected people.