By Our Correspondent

National News – The Enugu State Police Command has recovered two vehicles stolen in separate incidents in Imo State, including a Lexus RX 300 SUV that had been missing since 2018, while three suspects have been arrested in connection with one of the cases.

The command disclosed that the recoveries followed separate intelligence-led operations carried out by its operatives across Enugu State.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the first operation was launched after police received a report on June 25 that a commercial minibus bearing registration number AKL 969 AH had been hijacked by suspected criminals a day earlier in Okigwe, Imo State.

Ndukwe said operatives attached to the Aninri Police Division tracked the stolen vehicle to Onunweke community in Ndeaboh, Aninri Local Government Area, where the suspects reportedly abandoned it and fled upon sighting the police.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In another operation conducted on June 21, the police recovered a gold-coloured Lexus RX 300 SUV with registration number EZA 323 NF after a buyer approached the Enugu Metro Area Command to verify the vehicle following its purchase in Enugu.

According to the police spokesman, verification conducted with the Federal Road Safety Corps confirmed that the vehicle had been listed as stolen.

Further investigations revealed that the SUV was stolen during an armed robbery attack in Owerri, Imo State, in 2018.

The police subsequently arrested three suspects identified as Chukwudi Ubani, alleged to have sold the vehicle, alongside Uchenna Obaji and Nnamene Chukwudi, all residents of Enugu State.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, commended the operatives for the successful recovery of the vehicles and urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

He also advised intending buyers of fairly used vehicles to verify ownership documents and confirm the status of vehicles with relevant authorities before completing any transaction.

The commissioner further encouraged vehicle owners to register their vehicles with the appropriate licensing authorities and the Nigeria Police Force Electronic Central Motor Registry (e-CMR), noting that such registration would enhance the prompt tracing and recovery of stolen vehicles.