Uyo, The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to combat vehicle theft with the arrest of a notorious car theft syndicate and the recovery of a stolen vehicle alongside several incriminating items.
This development follows the July 27 recovery of a stolen vehicle which prompted a comprehensive investigation. Acting on leads, police operatives on July 30 at about 4:30 p.m. apprehended more members of the gang, thanks to intelligence provided by one of the suspects, 42-year-old Otoabasi George Ime, from Use Abat Village in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area. George was earlier arrested in connection with the recovered vehicle.
The suspects arrested in the follow-up operation include:
Uwem Okon Umoh – Identified as the gang’s lead fabricator.
Umoh Joseph Essien – The syndicate’s in-house mechanic.
Ukpong Jeremiah Udo – Responsible for the electrical work on stolen vehicles.
Uchenna Peter Ihekandu – Alleged buyer of the stolen cars.
Peter Madu Abuchi – Tasked with handling money transfers for the group.
A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of several incriminating exhibits including:
Nine vehicle number plates,
Four yards of army camouflage fabric and two face caps,
A Federal Road Safety Corps reflective jacket and face cap,
A file jacket containing various vehicle documents.
All suspects reportedly confessed to stealing a total of nine vehicles across different locations.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the diligence of the operatives involved in unmasking and dismantling the syndicate. He assured the public that discreet investigations are still ongoing to recover additional stolen vehicles and unearth the tools and weapons used by the criminals.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state, calling on residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around them.
