The Rivers State Police Command says its operatives have arrested two suspected car snatchers allegedly linked to several cases of vehicle theft in Port Harcourt, its environs, and neighbouring states.
The command said the breakthrough followed reports of stolen vehicles by affected individuals, noting that one of the recovered cars was traced to Abia State, where one of the suspects was also apprehended.
Spokesperson for the command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police, described the arrests as a significant step in the command’s sustained onslaught against car theft and snatching in the state.
The statement reads, ‘On 20 November 2025, at about 1800hrs, a team of operatives from the Command’s C4I Intelligence Unit arrested two suspects, Abubakar Abdulsalam, 43, and Shagari Shehu, 35, in connection with the theft of two vehicles.
‘The operatives swiftly acted on credible and reliable information, leading to the arrest of the suspects, who were found in possession of the stolen vehicles.
‘The recovered vehicles include a white Toyota Hilux with a fake registration number GWA 453 GR and an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with a fake registration number LSD 420 BT. Both vehicles are in police custody for discreet investigation’.
Providing further details, Iringe-Koko said, ‘The Hilux van was recovered in Rumuibekwe Estate, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, while the Toyota Corolla was recovered in Abia State, where the second suspect was also arrested.
‘The suspects are currently undergoing an in-depth investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the theft and their individual involvement. The operatives are working to establish the suspects’ potential links to other vehicle-related crimes in the state, as well as to track down other syndicate members’.
Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for their efforts and thanked members of the public for their continued support in the fight against crime.
CP Adepoju reassured the public of the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and urged anyone with useful information on similar crimes to come forward and assist the police.
‘The police will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that Rivers State remains a safe and secure place for all residents and visitors alike’, the statement concluded.
Car theft and vehicle snatching have remained persistent crimes in Port Harcourt and across parts of Rivers State in recent years, often linked to organised syndicates that move stolen vehicles across state lines.
The Rivers State Police Command has repeatedly intensified surveillance through units such as the C4I Intelligence Unit to curb the trend, following an increase in reported cases involving Toyota vehicles—particularly Hilux vans and Corolla sedans, which are popular targets for criminal networks.
The command has, in the past, recovered several stolen vehicles in neighbouring states, underscoring the cross-border nature of the crime. Police authorities have consistently urged residents to report suspicious movements and assist investigations, while also warning car owners to adopt improved security measures.
The latest arrests come as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle syndicates believed to be responsible for vehicle thefts in Rivers and nearby states.
