The Nigeria Police Force in Enugu State has detained four suspects and recovered three vehicles allegedly stolen in Enugu and Anambra states in separate intelligence-driven operations.

The Command’s Spokesman, SP Daniel Ndukwe, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Enugu, stating that the operations were carried out by different tactical units of the command.

According to him, on February 26 at about 5:30 a.m., operatives attached to the Central Police Station, in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch Group, detained a 22-year-old suspect, Joseph Nsor, at Chris Chemist Roundabout in Enugu.

Ndukwe said the suspect, who reportedly arrived in Enugu the previous day without a fixed address, was apprehended while attempting to flee with a stolen Toyota Hiace bus, allegedly accessed and started with a master key.

“The vehicle was recovered and its owner identified. The suspect was arraigned in court on February 27 and remanded in the Enugu Correctional Centre,” he said.

In a separate operation carried out on January 31 at about 6 p.m., operatives of the Anti-Cultism Tactical Squad detained Ugwuanyi Samuel, alias “Sammyblack,” said to be a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity.

The police spokesman said the suspect was found in possession of a red Toyota Camry (Spider) bearing a National Association of Nigerian Students plate number.

Investigations, he said, revealed that the vehicle belonged to a female victim from Ogbunike in Anambra State and was snatched in June 2022 after her son was abducted at gunpoint while driving the vehicle.

The abducted victim was later released after a ransom of N500,000 was paid, while the vehicle was taken away and repainted.

Ndukwe further disclosed that on January 24 at about 9 a.m., operatives of the same Tactical Squad, acting on credible intelligence, stormed New Garriki, Awkunanaw, Enugu, and detained two suspects, Chinonso John, 27, and Samuel Nwankwor, 41, described as an ex-convict.

A red Toyota Matrix with registration number AAH 785 AE was recovered during the operation.

“The suspects confessed to snatching the vehicle at gunpoint in Awka, Anambra State, on January 23, and to other operations involving a Lexus RX 350 and a Toyota Highlander.

“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices.

“The remaining suspects and exhibits will be handed over to the Anambra State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution,” he said.

Ndukwe added that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr. Mamman Giwa, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and urged residents to provide credible information to security agencies while adopting basic vehicle security measures to prevent theft.