Car stolen in Enugu recovered in Cross River – Police

The police in Cross River State have arrested a 36-year-old man, Pius Aidan, and recovered a Lexus RX 330 allegedly stolen from a car wash in Enugu State.

The black Lexus was reportedly stolen on 5 November before it was traced to Ugep, the headquarters of Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

According to the statement, the command received a distress report about the stolen vehicle at about 3:55 a.m. on 6 November, with information indicating that its last known location was Ugep.

The police said detectives at the Yakurr Divisional Police Headquarters immediately began tracking and recovery operations after receiving the report.

The operation led to the arrest of Mr Aidan at about 6:10 a.m. along Ikpi Street, Bikobiko, Ugep, approximately two hours after the command received the distress report.

The police said the suspect has confessed to involvement in the crime.

“The recovered vehicle has been secured at the police station, while the suspect remains in custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the theft and determine whether other persons were involved,” the statement said.

Another stolen vehicle recovered in Cross River

The latest recovery comes barely two weeks after the police in neighbouring Anambra State announced the recovery of a Toyota Highlander allegedly stolen in the state and traced to Calabar, Cross River State.

The Anambra State Police Command had said its operatives attached to the Central Police Station, Onitsha, recovered the vehicle on 16 October following intelligence on its whereabouts, Punch newspaper reported.

The vehicle was reportedly stolen on 9 October. A suspect, identified as Muonago Chibuze, was also arrested in connection with the incident.

The police spokesperson in Anambra, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the recovery followed intelligence-led efforts and highlighted the importance of inter-state police collaboration in tackling vehicle theft.

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The command subsequently directed that the recovered vehicle be transferred to the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu for further investigation.

The two incidents involved vehicles reportedly stolen in neighbouring states but subsequently traced to different locations in Cross River, with arrests made in connection with both recoveries.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, Ajo Ordue, commended the officers involved in the latest recovery for their swift response and professionalism.

Mr Ordue reiterated the command’s commitment to preventing criminals from using the state as a haven and strengthening intelligence-led policing to combat vehicle theft and other criminal activities.