The Enugu State Police Command has arraigned a 29-year-old man, Oshim Daniel, before an Enugu State Magistrate Court for allegedly stealing vehicle batteries and other valuables from residents of Alulu-Nike in Enugu.
The suspect, who was rescued from an angry mob by operatives of the Abakpa Police Division on July 29, was remanded in a correctional custodial centre pending the hearing and determination of the case.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly stole three vehicle batteries belonging to different victims on July 28. The recovered batteries, valued at ₦150,000, ₦45,000 and ₦32,000 respectively, have been identified by their owners.
Police operatives also recovered a public address system, a Point-of-Sale (POS) device, a gas cylinder, a vehicle stereo system, a spare tyre and other items suspected to have been stolen and linked to the suspect.
The Command said the suspect confessed to the offences during interrogation and was subsequently charged with three counts of stealing under the Criminal Code of Enugu State, 2004.
Following his arraignment, the court ordered that he be remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives for their professionalism and urged members of the public to hand over suspects to the police for proper investigation and prosecution instead of taking the law into their own hands.
He also advised vehicle owners to strengthen the security of their vehicles by using effective locking and anti-theft devices and to register their vehicles on the Nigeria Police Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR) to improve vehicle security and enhance the recovery of stolen vehicles.
