Police arrest two suspects with stolen vehicle in Anambra

Police officers. Photo: TheCable

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two male suspects, identified as Umeh Thankgod, aged 32, and Sunday Ozor, aged 24, and recovered a stolen blue Toyota Camry following a distress alert from operatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps during a routine vehicle registration verification exercise.

Police investigation revealed that the vehicle was reportedly stolen from the residence of a 90-year-old retired Professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

In a press statement released on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said the suspects were arrested on October 28, 2026, by operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department at the Old Spare Parts Market, Mgbuka, Obosi.

Ikenga said their arrest followed the FRSC alert, adding that preliminary information indicated that the corps’ operatives in Awka detected irregularities during the verification of the vehicle’s registration particulars and promptly alerted the police.

The statement read, “The suspects, Umeh Thankgod, aged 32, and Sunday Ozor, aged 24, were arrested in the evening of 28th October 2026 by operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department at the Old Spare Parts Market, Mgbuka, Obosi, following the FRSC alert.

“Preliminary information indicates that FRSC operatives in Awka detected irregularities during the verification of the vehicle’s registration particulars and promptly alerted the Police for necessary intervention.

“Acting on the information, police operatives swiftly intervened, leading to the arrest of the two suspects and recovery of the vehicle.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was reportedly stolen on 29th September 2026 from the residence of a 90-year-old retired Professor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

“The victim was subsequently contacted and has positively identified the recovered vehicle as his property.

“He further disclosed that the vehicle was allegedly stolen from his compound with the assistance of his gateman, identified as Bassey Etim, who is currently at large.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Ama, commended the FRSC personnel for their vigilance and prompt reporting.

Ama emphasised that effective inter-agency collaboration, timely information sharing and coordinated responses remain essential to preventing and detecting crime, recovering stolen property and ensuring public safety.

On Saturday, The PUNCH reported that command intensified security operations across identified flashpoints and suspected criminal hideouts in the state.

The operation, involving joint security operatives in sustained bush-combing and clearance exercises, was aimed at flushing out criminal elements and dismantling their operational bases.

Ikenga said the operation formed part of the command’s proactive, intelligence-driven strategy to deny criminal elements safe havens, disrupt their networks and prevent crimes, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent activities.