David Oladimeji, Lagos
The Rivers State Police Command says it has recorded another breakthrough in its clampdown on car theft syndicates, arresting two suspects alleged to have been involved in vehicle snatching operations within the state.
The suspects, identified as Abubakar Abdulsalam, aged 43, and Shagari Shehu, aged 35, were apprehended by operatives attached to the C4I Intelligence Unit following what authorities described as credible surveillance and tactical field response.
Police information revealed that the arrest took place on November 20, 2025, at about 1800 hours, after operatives trailed the suspects to a location where two stolen vehicles were reportedly in their possession.
The Rivers Command noted that the operation was executed swiftly and without resistance, reinforcing ongoing efforts to dismantle organised vehicle theft networks operating across the state.
Recovered from the suspects was a white Toyota Hilux said to have been fitted with a fake registration number — GWA 453 GR — raising suspicion of a wider criminal modification network.
The command also reported the recovery of an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla, equally bearing a counterfeit plate identified as LSD 420 BT.
The vehicles, now secured as exhibits, are undergoing verification and forensic scrutiny to confirm ownership and determine their origins.
Police sources disclosed that both suspects are currently undergoing extensive interrogation aimed at determining the full scale of their operations.
Investigators are also probing possible connections to past cases of car snatching, including any accomplices or syndicate collaborators within or outside the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, appreciated the efforts of the operatives, describing the arrest as a significant step toward reclaiming streets from auto-crime perpetrators.
He commended residents whose information assisted the operation, noting that community intelligence remains a crucial weapon in policing strategy.
The command reiterated its readiness to pursue criminals exploiting vehicular theft as a livelihood, adding that no syndicate will be spared in the ongoing crackdown.
CP Adepoju further encouraged members of the public to report suspicious vehicular transactions, unusual number plate swaps, or movement of unidentified vehicles.
He gave the assurance that Rivers State Police Command will continue to intensify patrols, intelligence gathering and proactive response operations to safeguard lives and property.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, urged residents to maintain trust in law enforcement, emphasising that safety remains a shared responsibility between citizens and security agencies.