The Nigeria Police Force, Enugu State Command, has recovered a stolen Toyota Avensis vehicle and arrested three suspects believed to be members of a stolen car syndicate operating across state lines.
According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, operatives attached to Unity Division recovered the vehicle on October 13, 2025, at about 2:10 p.m. in Ibagwa-Nike, Enugu, following a credible security tip-off.
The recovered vehicle had been stolen from where it was parked in Otukpo, Benue State, on June 29, 2025 — more than three months before the breakthrough operation in Enugu.
Three male suspects linked to the crime were arrested. They include 51-year-old Ernest Oshi, 36-year-old Ukpai Ifeanyi, and 32-year-old Ogbuzulu David.
Preliminary investigations revealed a chain of illegal transactions surrounding the stolen vehicle.
“Ernest Oshi purchased the stolen vehicle from Ukpai Ifeanyi, a mechanic, who had earlier bought it from Ogbuzulu David, a car dealer, who in turn claimed to have purchased the vehicle from a mechanic in Benue State,” the statement explained.
Police added that the suspects have already confessed to their individual levels of involvement in the crime as investigations intensify.
“The suspects further confessed their individual levels of involvement as the case continues to unfold under diligent police investigation,” Ndukwe stated.
Meanwhile, both the suspects and the recovered Toyota Avensis have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force Benue State Command, which has jurisdiction over the original theft, for further investigation and eventual prosecution.
SP Daniel Ndukwe reaffirmed the commitment of the Enugu Police Command to sustaining its intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks in the state.
