Police smash deadly car snatchers, kidnappers in Rivers

By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Operatives of Rivers Police Command have arrested suspected car snatchers, and kidnappers in different operations conducted in different parts of the state in recent times.

Rivers State Police Commissioner, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, paraded the suspects before journalists in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Monday.

He added that the vehicles snatched by the robbers and the weapons they used to perpetrate their crimes were also recovered.

He said, “Police Operatives on Saturday at about 10 pm along Ozuoba road sighted a black Toyota Corolla that the car and the driver, one Destiny Amah was taken to the station and upon search of the car, a pistol was recovered”.

CP Emeka also disclosed that On the 16th Monday, October at about 12:30hours, operatives of the Rivers State Police command arrested one Samuel Chinedu, around Redeemed Church at Sam Wobo Street with different master car keys, which he allegedly used in snatching vehicles.

He said operatives of Mile 1 Diobu, Port Harcourt, arrested one Tony Christopher who snatched a Jetta Car parked at the Education Bus stop and took it to Ayama axis of Diobu where he wanted to sell it as scrap.

The Rivers Police Boss said on Saturday, based on exit blockage against fleeing criminals, a Mazda Car was abandoned along Egede, Mile 1 Diobu and police recovered the car.

Also, on Saturday, CP Strike Force, acting on credible information, arrested one Victor Jonah at Chicocho Etche in the Etche local government area and recovered two cut to size guns.

Also, on the 16th of October, 2023, operatives of the Olu-Obasanjo Police Division patrolling along waterlines, approached a driver who pretended that the car was faulty. The two occupants on sighting the Police ran away, while two others were arrested with dangerous weapons.

CP Emeka also said that “On 14th October,2023, a victim came to the anti-kidnapping unit that he was abducted by unknown gunmen, who pretended as if they want to buy cars from him. He said that based on the report, operatives of the command swung into action, went to Abia state and arrested two suspects, while one was arrested in Oyigbo, Rivers State in the course of the investigation.

In conclusion, CP Emeka urged residents of Rivers State to continue to give credible information that can lead to the arrest of crime suspects to the police.

He also urged the members of the public to install pedal locks in their vehicles to secure their cars from car thieves.