Operatives of the Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested two suspected interstate car thieves linked to vehicle theft operations across the country.
The suspects, identified as ThankGod Unchena, 25, and Adewole Muyedeen, 53, were apprehended while transporting a stolen vehicle from Lagos State to Abuja.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, the arrest followed actionable intelligence and the deployment of technology-driven policing strategies.
Jimoh disclosed that on April 30, the command received credible intelligence indicating that a silver Hyundai vehicle, earlier reported stolen in Lagos, was being driven towards Abuja by suspected criminals.
He explained that security operatives leveraged advanced surveillance systems and real-time intelligence sharing to track the movement of the vehicle along its suspected route.
Acting on the intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit were mobilised and successfully intercepted the suspects at Ogbese in Akure North Local Government Area.
“In an attempt to evade arrest, the principal suspect, ThankGod Unchena, jumped into the Ogbese River,” Jimoh stated.
“However, our operatives displayed professionalism and tactical efficiency by pursuing him into the river and safely apprehending him.”
Preliminary investigations, according to the police, suggest that the suspects may be part of a larger criminal syndicate involved in interstate vehicle theft, with further enquiries underway to identify other accomplices.
The police spokesperson added that the second suspect, Adewole Muyedeen, was picked up as a passenger during the journey.
However, suspicion was heightened when the principal suspect reportedly handed over control of the vehicle to him upon noticing security presence in what appeared to be an attempt to evade detection.
Both suspects are currently in police custody, while the recovered vehicle has been secured as evidence.
Authorities said they will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
