According to the Rivers State Police Command, four people connected to the crime have been apprehended and a car theft network has been dismantled.
A few stolen cars were also recovered by the command.
Blessing Agabe, the State Police spokesperson, revealed this in a statement on Monday.
According to Agabe, the gang specializes in purchasing and disposing of stolen automobiles around the state.
The accomplishment, he continued, came after Paul Nwabueze, who had been wanted for auto theft, was apprehended. He claimed that Nwabueze’s confession to the crime made it easier for investigators to find his accomplices.
“With the arrest of members of the syndicate specializing in the buying and selling of stolen vehicles and the recovery of the vehicles, Rivers State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on organized vehicle theft,” the statement states.
Under the direction of Rivers State Commissioner of Police Olugbenga Adepoju, Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has promoted intelligence-driven policing, which has directly contributed to this success.
Paul Nwabueze Jude, a 46-year-old man from Ogbogoro Community in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, was taken into custody by members of the command Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) at around 17:50 on April 10, 2026, based on reliable information. Following his involvement in a previously publicized vehicle theft case and the earlier arrest of his accomplice, Uju Molokai (m), 32, on November 16, 2025, the suspect was on the run.
Paul Nwabueze Jude managed to avoid arrest at the time, but a stolen Toyota Hilux in his possession was successfully recovered. The defendant admitted to his role in the earlier crime and multiple other car theft activities during the inquiry.
“Acting on this confession and subsequent intelligence, operatives of the command Violent Crime Response Unit arrested other members of the gang and receivers of the vehicles,” the state police image maker added, revealing that the syndicate is a four-man group.
Paul Nwabueze Jude (46 years old), a resident of Ogbogoro Community, Obio/Akpor LGA; Dike Michael (46 years old), a native of Omo State; Uzomba Darlington (47 years old), a native of Abia State; and Emyinnaya Eugene (46 years old), a native of Imo State, are the suspects. Two (2) Toyota Hiluxes and three (3) Siennas are among the recovered exhibits.”
“Further investigations uncovered the presence of a crucial recipient of the stolen cars, who is thought to be in possession of other stolen vehicles. The arrest of this person and the recovery of all other stolen automobiles in his hands are proceeding.”
Olugbenga Adepoju, the State Commissioner of Police, has advised people to stay watchful, install monitoring and anti-theft equipment, and refrain from leaving valuables unattended in their cars.
Adepoju also urged people to report any suspicious activity to the closest police station right away, emphasizing that timely reporting is essential for successful crime prevention.
