The Rivers State Police Command has dismantled a five-man car-snatching syndicate and successfully recovered five stolen vehicles.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Blessing Agabe, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday that the breakthrough followed intelligence-driven operations by the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit.

Agabe said that the operation commenced in November 2025 after a 32-year old suspect, Uju Molokai was apprehended over alleged theft of a Toyota Hilux.

She said that during investigation, Molokai, named four other members of his car-theft gang, which prompted the police to launch its dragnets.

The police spokesman said that operatives later tracked and apprehended four fleeing members of the syndicate on April 10.

Agabe said that during interrogation, the suspects confessed to multiple vehicle theft operations that led to the recovery of two Toyota Hilux and three Sienna vehicles.

“The suspects are specialised in stealing, buying, and selling of stolen vehicles across different locations,” she said.

Agabe said that a key receiver of stolen vehicles from the syndicate was still at large, and that efforts were ongoing to apprehend him, and recover other stolen vehicles in his possession.

The police spokesperson said that the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, had urged residents to adopt measures toward safeguarding their lives and property.

She advised vehicle owners to install tracking devices and avoid leaving valuables unattended in their vehicles.

He also encouraged members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities around their neighbourhood in order to aid crime prevention.(NAN)