The Enugu State Police Command has arrested eight suspects and recovered eight stolen vehicles in a renewed crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
The command said the arrests, made in separate operations between August 8 and 21, also led to the recovery of several exhibits, including motorcycles, vehicle number plates and keys.
The state police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe, in a statement on Friday, said the operations demonstrated the command’s “unwavering commitment to ridding the state of criminal elements.”
According to him, operatives of the command’s SWAT team on August 21 arrested three suspects, 44-year-old Eze Obinna, 35-year-old Jideofor Igwumba, and 49-year-old Martina Okwor Ada, with a stolen Toyota Kluger SUV.
He said the vehicle was,” reportedly stolen at Trans-Ekulu, Enugu, on 21st July 2025, refurbished, and already being prepared for sale in Awka, Anambra State, was recovered from them.”
He added that on August 19, operatives attached to Ozalla Division intercepted suspected criminals along the Udi/Ozalla Road. One of the suspects, identified as Somadina Udeh, 26, was arrested, while others escaped.
“The criminal gang’s operational vehicle, a Toyota Hiace bus with Delta registration number ASB 108 YF, was recovered from the suspect.
“Meanwhile, the fleeing suspects abandoned another Toyota Hiace bus with Ebonyi registration number AKL 163 YU, which they had earlier stolen from where it was parked at Amokwe in Udi LGA,” the statement read.
Ndukwe noted that the suspect confessed to burglary and admitted that he and his accomplices usually infiltrated Enugu from Anambra to steal goods from shops.
Similarly, on August 12, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Tactical Squad arrested 42-year-old Chigozie Ebisike and recovered a blue Toyota Corolla from him.
Ndukwe said, “The suspect confessed to car stealing and snatching, which led to the recovery of two more vehicles: a gold Toyota Sienna minivan with Lagos registration number BDG 935 GP, a black Lexus 350 with Enugu registration number UWN 762 AH, as well as several vehicle registration particulars, keys, and number plates.”
Earlier on August 8, three suspects, 35-year-old Nwafor Chinenye, 32-year-old Chidera Ezeoha, and 41-year-old Ekete Joseph, were arrested over a robbery in which a motorcycle and a Samsung Galaxy S8 phone were stolen.
“The stolen motorcycle, alongside another, was recovered from the suspects who had displayed them for sale at Ogbeke-Nike, Enugu East LGA.
“The suspects have since been arraigned and remanded in a correctional facility,” Ndukwe said.
The commissioner of police, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives, saying the command would sustain the tempo of crime-fighting.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspected criminals and distress situations to the police
