The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested five suspected members of a notorious car theft syndicate operating across the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, indicated in a statement on Thursday that the breakthrough came after the earlier arrest of a 42-year-old Otoabasi Ime, who was found in possession of the stolen car. She disclosed that Ime, who was apprehended on July 27, provided the command with credible information that led to the arrest of five other members of the gang who have confessed to the theft of nine vehicles. She stated, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended a notorious car theft syndicate, leading to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and a cache of incriminating items. “This significant breakthrough follows an intensive investigation initiated after the recovery of a stolen vehicle on July 27, 2025.” “Coming on the heels of discreet investigations, operatives on July 30, 2025, at approximately 4:30pm, arrested additional members of the syndicate, following leads provided by Otoabasi George Ime, ‘m’, 42 years old. “George Ime was previously arrested in possession of a stolen vehicle, which sparked the wider investigation. “The arrested gang members include Uwem Okon Umoh, ‘m’, identified as the syndicate’s key fabricator; Umoh Joseph Essien, ‘m’, the group’s mechanic; Ukpong Jeremiah Udo, ‘m’, the syndicate’s electrician; Uchenna Peter Ihekandu, ‘m’, suspected buyer of stolen vehicles; and Peter Madu Abuchi, ‘m’, said to be responsible for money transfers within the syndicate, she disclosed. The police added that the arrest also led to the recovery of nine different car number plates, four yards of army camouflage fabric and two face caps, a road safety reflective jacket and cap, and a file jacket containing various vehicle particulars. “Upon searching the suspects, operatives recovered the following items: nine different car number plates, four yards of army camouflage fabric, two face caps, a road safety reflective jacket and cap, and a file jacket containing various vehicle particulars. “All suspects have confessed to being responsible for the theft of nine vehicles. The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commends the diligence of the officers in dismantling this criminal network. “Discreet investigations are still ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and identify the operational weapons used by the syndicate. “The command assures the public of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and their properties.”

Bayero University, Kano, has launched a manhunt for the suspected phone snatchers who stabbed and killed a 300-level student of the institution, identified as Umar Abdullahi Hafiz. The university’s Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He said the incident occurred at the student’s residence in the Dorayi area of Kano metropolis. According to Lamara, arrangements have already been made by the university to transport the deceased’s body to his hometown of Zaria, Kaduna State, for burial. The university added that the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas, had vowed to work closely with security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Abbas also called for calm within the university community, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of both students and staff. PUNCH Metro gathered that phone snatching in the ancient city has now become a daily phenomenon, resulting in the killing of innocent citizens.

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives busted a sophisticated inter-state car snatching syndicate with a foreign network, arrested 12 suspects and recovered 22 vehicles in the process. The police said among the suspects was a dismissed police officer who had 11 cars as of the time of his arrest, while three ex-convicts who were hired into the illicit deal were also arrested by the operatives.  The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a stat