The Federal Road Safety Corps, Abia State Command, on Thursday, confirmed that four lives, including that of a child, were lost in a ghastly auto crash that occurred at Ntigha, Isiala Ngwa North, on Tuesday morning. According to the Sector Commander, Ngozi Ezeonu, “One female child died at the spot as confirmed on reaching the hospital. In the course of our hospital follow-up on the victims who were carried to the hospital, we discovered that another three females later died, making it four people over the crash.” Earlier on Wednesday, the FRSC, Abia Command Public Relations Officer, Kelechi Igbonekwu, said 14 persons were injured in the accident, with nine being adult males and five adult females. According to him, the accident happened about 11.40 am at Ntigha, along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road in Abia State, disclosing that the lone accident involved an 18-seater Hiace with registration number, MBA 124 XB, which had a burst tyre, which caused it to somersault into a nearby bush. A source identified simply as Chinaza, near the scene of the accident, told our correspondent that the vehicle left Ebonyi State to Aba that morning, adding, “There was a loud bang from a burst tyre which caused the vehicle to somersault, causing fatalities.” Another source, who spoke with PUNCH Metro, said a few minutes after the incident, the Abia State Emergency Response Team, led by Obioma Analaba, was sent to help, rescue and evacuate the victims to nearby hospitals. The Sector Commander, Ngozi Ezeonu, used the opportunity to advise drivers to strictly abide by the prevailing driving rules in the state in particular and Nigerians in general.

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 statement in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, said the arrests followed a major intelligence-led operation after one of their victims, identified as Enoch Daniel, had his Toyota Hiace snatched by the criminals at gunpoint in Onne, Eleme Local Government Area of the state.  She further disclosed that one of the arrested suspects confessed to having earned N5m in eight months as proceeds from the crime, saying some members of the syndicate were traced to Akwa Ibom and Kano states, respectively, where they were apprehended.  The statement partly reads, “In a major intelligence-led operation, the Rivers State Police Command successfully dismantled a sophisticated car theft syndicate operating across multiple states in Nigeria.  “The operation led to the arrest of 12 male suspects and the recovery of 22 stolen vehicles.  “The case began in September 2024 after a report by Mr. Enoch Daniel, who was dispossessed of his Toyota Hiace bus at the Trailer Park, Onne. Swift investigations by the command’s C4i Strike Force/Octopus team led to the arrest of John Amadi, 40 years from Ogu/Bolo LGA of Rivers State, and Nna Goodluck, 45 years, from Khana LGA, Rivers State. “Both ex-convicts confessed they were hired by one Godspower Okpa to snatch the vehicle using hammers and were paid N90,000 each. “Further investigations extended to Oyibo (Rivers), Kano, and Akwa Ibom, resulting in the arrest of key suspects including, Yakubu Abdullah (m), 35 years, apprehended in Oyibo during a pickup; Abdulkareem Saminu (m), 35 years, caught with two stolen vehicles and Adamu Musa (m), a dismissed police officer from Akwa Ibom, in possession of 11 vehicles.”  It continued, “The syndicate is coordinated by Falco Ibrahim, ‘m’, currently at large, whose network spans Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states.  “Vehicles were smuggled via his agent, Shehu Shagari, (m), now in custody, and sold in Cameroon either whole or as parts.  “Other arrested members include Onyekachi Igwe (m), 53 years, an ex-convict and Port Harcourt liaison, who confessed to earning over N5m in eight months; Ikechukwu Joseph, (m), 35 years and Michael Emerenwa, (m), 40 years, both auto-electricians who modified vehicles for export.  “Elijah Nwauwa Sunday (m) 45 years, a self-styled pastor from Owerri, Imo State, who fronted as a spiritual leader while acting as the syndicate’s broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market, Onitsha; and Samuel Ejigbo, (m), 39 years from Kogi State, an ex-convict and field operator in Port Harcourt.  “Umar Jabbo, ‘m’, 25 years from Taraba State, caught attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry.  The police image maker said the feat underscored the command’s resolve to make Rivers State uncomfortable to criminal elements and syndicates and called on residents to remain vigilant and support the police with credible information.  “All suspects will be charged to count upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to arrest the ringleader and other fleeing accomplices.  “The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of all residents. These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement”, the statement concluded.