The Police Command in Rivers State has dismantled a 12-member car-snatching syndicate suspected of stealing more than 22 vehicles across the country.

Spokesperson for the command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Friday that the arrests followed an intelligence-driven raid conducted across several states.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that the operation commenced in September 2024 after one Enoch Daniel reported that his Toyota Hiace bus was stolen at Trailer Park, Onne, in Port Harcourt.

She stated that investigations led to the arrest of two suspects, aged 40 and 45 respectively.

The police spokesperson said that the two suspects, who were both ex-convicts, confessed that they were hired by someone to steal the vehicle, using hammers.

“The ex-convicts were each paid N90,000 for carrying out the theft,” she said.

Ms Iringe-Koko explained that further intelligence from the suspects resulted in the arrest of other members of the syndicate in Kano and Akwa Ibom states.

She said that in Kano, the police apprehended two suspects found in possession of two stolen vehicles, while a dismissed police officer was arrested in Akwa Ibom State, with 11 vehicles believed to have been stolen.

The police spokesperson said that further investigations showed that the syndicate was coordinated by a suspect, currently at large, whose network spanned Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Delta, Enugu, Kano and Rivers states.

She added that the stolen vehicles were smuggled via the suspect’s agent (now in custody) and sold in Cameroon either whole or dismantled for parts.

Ms Iringe-Koko named a 53-year-old suspect and ex-convict and the Port Harcourt liaison for the syndicate, who admitted to receiving more than N5 million in payments over eight months.

She said others were two suspects who were both auto-electricians modifying stolen vehicles for export as well as a 45-year-old suspect who was the group’s spiritual leader and broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market in Onitsha.

She also said that another suspect, an ex-convict, acted as the syndicate’s field operator in Port Harcourt, while another was arrested attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry car.

“These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers State a hostile environment for criminals to operate freely. All 12 suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” she stated.

Ms Iringe-Koko said that efforts were ongoing to arrest both the ringleader of the syndicate and other identified suspects still at large, urging residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information.

She assured the public of the command’s commitment to the safety and security of the people of the state.

“These operations are part of a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and sustain public confidence in law enforcement,” the police spokesperson said.

(NAN)