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.

A popular TikToker, Kesari Okala, has been brutalised by some suspected cultists in the Ikola area of Lagos State. PUNCH Metro learnt that the incident happened on Sunday. According to a video obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Kesari was seen writhing in pain while rolling on the floor. In the video, the social media influencer said he was standing at a bus stop in the area when some suspected cultists who were returning from their meeting attacked him on the spot. While narrating what happened to a supposed relative who recorded the video, the teary Kesari said, “You see the Aye in your area. See what they did to me. I was waiting for a bike at the bus stop, and you know I told you they were having a meeting down the street. It was when they were returning from their meeting that they did this to me. See what they did to me. Did they want to kill me? I am fed up with all this. What happened now?” Kesari was stabbed on the head with an unknown object, as his body could be seen with blood stains. PUNCH Metro gathered that a male adult was hacked to death in the community a day before the incident. A source privy to the incident told our correspondent on Thursday that a rival cult group attacked the deceased while his hand was severed in the process. “A man was killed on Saturday here in our area. We were told that some cultists attacked him. His hand was also cut off and taken away. Although we could not identify the guy because he does not live in this area.” PUNCH Metro reported in July that three residents were killed in a suspected cultists’ attack in the Ebute Meta area of the state. The victims were identified simply as Agbara, Butcher and a plumber whose identity had yet to be ascertained. According to a resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, Agbara was attacked and killed in the Lagos Street area of the community. Another resident confirmed that Butcher was killed in the Makoko area. While speaking on the killing of the third victim, the resident said Butcher was dragged to a location on Abeokuta Street and stabbed to death on the spot, the same day.

Kawthar Abdulazeez, a mother of two, is demanding accountability from Exel Medical Diagnostics after discovering that her genotype is SC, contrary to the AA result she received from the center 12 years ago. Married to an AS partner based on that report, both their daughters have now been diagnosed with sickle cell SS. Armed with proof of the original test card, Kawthar is calling on the diagnostic center to take responsibility for what she describes as a life-altering mistake.

Liverpool and Manchester United keen on RB Leipzig winger Xavi Simons, Liverpool set to holds talks about the futures of Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Diogo Jota, and Moise Kean could stay at Fiorentina despite interest from Premier League clubs. Netherlands forward Xavi Simons could leave RB Leipzig this summer and the German club will want about £70m if they are to sell the 21-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany), external Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs that have been monitoring Simons, who has a contract until 2027 with RB Leipzig. (Sport Bild - in German), external Liverpool are planning talks to determine the futures of 28-year-old Colombia forward Luiz Diaz, Portugal striker Diogo Jota, 28, and 25-year-old France centre-back Ibrahima Konate as they head into the summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external Saudi Arabia's minister of sport Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal says Egypt forward Mohamed Salah "fits the identity of playing" in the country's top league but there were no discussions about signing him prior to the 32-year-old extending his contract with Liverpool. (ESPN), external Real Madrid are keen on Spain midfielder Rodri but any move is unlikely as the 28-year-old is settled at Manchester City and has no plans to leave. (Sport Bild - in German), external Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has a £45m release clause in his contract which can be activated from 1-15 July but, despite being linked with a number of clubs, the 25-year-old could stay with the Viola to help his chances of making Italy's squad for the 2026 World Cup. (Tuttomercatoweb - in Italian), external Everton will allow English centre-back Michael Keane, 32, to leave the club when his contract runs out at the end of June. (Football Insider), external Barcelona sporting director Deco has suggested Poland keeper Wojciech Szczesny, 35, will sign a new one-year deal to stay at the Catalan club. (Marca - in Spanish), external