BIG BURST! Police Dismantle Interstate Car Snatching Syndicate; Recover 22 Vehicles, Arrest 12 Suspects

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has dismantled an interstate car snatching syndicate which has been operating across multiple states in Nigeria as well as arrested 12 male suspects and recovered 22 stolen vehicles.

Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Superintendent Grace Iringe-Koko disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, August 7, 2025 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to her, the syndicate, which is coordinated by Falco Ibrahim, currently at large, whose network spans Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States, came crashing when the Command’s C4i Strikeforce and Octopus team apprehended two its members: John Amadi, 40 years from Ogu/Bolo LGA, and Nna Goodluck, 45 years from Khana LGA.

The investigation and subsequent operation that led to these arrests was triggered by one Enoch Daniel, who incidented the snatching of his Toyota HiAce bus at Trailer Park, Onne in Eleme LGA in September 2024.

In the course of the investigation by the Command’s C4i Strikeforce/Octopus team, it was discovered that the vehicles when snatched were smuggled via Ibrahim’s agent, Shehu Shagari, male now in custody, and sold in Cameroon either whole or as parts.

The statement is reproduced below:

“In a major intelligence-led operation, the Rivers State Police Command successfully dismantled a sophisticated car theft syndicate operating across multiple states in Nigeria. The operation led to the arrest of twelve male suspects and the recovery of twenty-two (22) stolen vehicles.

The case began in September 2024 after a report by Mr. Enoch Daniel, who was dispossessed of his Toyota HiAce bus at Trailer Park, Onne. Swift investigations by the Command’s C4i Strikeforce/Octopus team led to the arrest of: John Amadi 40 years from Ogu/Bolo LGA and Nna Goodluck 45 years from Khana LGA.

Both ex-convicts confessed they were hired by one Godspower Okpa to snatch the vehicle using hammers and were paid ₦90,000 each.

Further investigations extended to Obigbo, Kano, and Akwa Ibom, resulting in the arrest of key suspects including: Yakubu Abdullah ‘m’ 35 years, apprehended in Obigbo during a pickup, Abdulkareem Saminu ‘m’ 35 years, caught with two stolen vehicles, and Adamu Musa, ‘m’ a dismissed Police Officer from Akwa Ibom, in possession of 11 vehicles.

The syndicate is coordinated by Falco Ibrahim ‘m’ currently at large, whose network spans Rivers, Anambra, Taraba, Enugu, Borno, Kano, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States. Vehicles were smuggled via his agent, Shehu Shagari ‘m’ now in custody, and sold in Cameroon either whole or as parts.

Other arrested members include:

Onyekachi Igwe ‘m’ 53 years, ex-convict and Port Harcourt liaison, who confessed to earning over ₦5 million in eight months,

Ikechukwu Joseph ‘m’ 35 years and Michael Emerenwa ‘m’ 40 years, both auto-electricians who modified vehicles for export,

Elijah Nwauwa Sunday ‘m’ 45 years, a self-styled pastor from Owerri, Imo State, who fronted as a spiritual leader while acting as the syndicate’s broker at Mgbuka-Obosi car scrap market, Onitsha,

Samuel Ejigbo ‘m’ 39 years from Kogi State, an ex-convict and field operator in Port Harcourt, and

Umar Jabbo ‘m’ 25 years from Taraba State, caught attempting to purchase a stolen Toyota Camry.

These arrests underscore our resolve to make Rivers State hostile to criminal syndicates. We call on residents to remain vigilant and support the Police with credible information.

All suspects will be charged to count upon the conclusion of investigations, while efforts continue to arrest the ringleader and other fleeing accomplices.

The Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of all residents. These operations reflect a broader strategy to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public confidence in law enforcement.”