The Rivers State Police Command has thwarted an alleged car-theft operation after its C4I Intelligence Unit intercepted two men in possession of a stolen Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Corolla fitted with fake registration plates.
The breakthrough occurred on 20 November 2025 at about 6pm, says the Commands spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko who acknowledged that when C4I operatives, acting on what the Command described as “credible and actionable intelligence,” closed in on the suspects, Abubakar Abdulsalam, 43, and Shagari Shehu, 35.
Iringe-Koko said the pair were arrested shortly after the stolen vehicles were traced to their location.
Police report that the recovered vehicles, a white Toyota Hilux bearing fake number plate GWA 453 GR, and an ash-coloured Toyota Corolla with falsified plate LSD 420 BT, have been taken into custody for further forensic and investigative analysis.
According to the Command, investigators are currently interrogating the suspects to determine the full extent of their alleged involvement in vehicle theft within the state, as well as to identify other potential members of a wider syndicate.
The Rivers State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olugbenga Adepoju, commended the operatives for what he described as a decisive and well-coordinated intervention.
He urged residents to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by providing useful information that could help curb crime.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining public safety and assured that it will sustain its operations to ensure Rivers State remains secure for both residents and visitors.
