Police arrest Lagos car thief in Enugu, recover vehicles

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a suspected car thief from Lagos state, who steal and sell vehicles in the south east.

In two separate operations, six male suspects were arrested and two stolen vehicles recovered by the command.

The state Police public relations officer, Daniel Ndukwe said that in the first operation, on 8th January 2026, at about 12:30 p.m., operatives of the Command attached to the New Haven Police Division, acting on credible information, recovered a stolen Mitsubishi L300 bus within Ogui, Enugu. 

The vehicle was reportedly stolen from where it was parked in New Haven on 31st December 2025. Four suspects were arrested in connection with the crime. 

They include one Hassan Sheyu (aged 29), Bashiru Yusuf (aged 37), Alago Yusuf (aged 30), and Idris Abisolamu (aged 28). Also arrested was a receiver of stolen property, one Nwanneka Isiugwu (male), who confessed to purchasing the vehicle from the suspects for the sum of ₦1,700,000.00.

In a related development, on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., operatives attached to the Udenu Police Division, acting on a tip-off and with the support of law-abiding citizens, arrested one Friday Onuh (male, 27) at Obollo-Afor, Udenu Local Government Area, and recovered a suspected stolen Toyota Camry 2.4 from him. He confessed to being a mechanic and that the vehicle was handed over to him for repairs by its owner in Victoria Island, Lagos. 

He, however, absconded with the vehicle before he was arrested. 

When contacted, the owner confirmed the theft, stating that all efforts to trace the suspect and recover the vehicle had proved abortive.

Ndukwe said that the suspects will be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, reassures members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property across Enugu State. 

He encourages vehicle owners to adopt proactive security measures, including the installation of tracking devices, steering and pedal locks, and other anti-theft mechanisms. Members of the public are further advised to exercise caution and due diligence in deciding whom they entrust their vehicles to for repairs or other purposes.