The Anambra State Police Command has recovered a Toyota Highlander Jeep allegedly stolen in the state and traced to Calabar, Cross River State, in an intelligence-led operation that also resulted in the arrest of a male suspect, identified as Muonago Chibuze.
The recovery, according to the police, was made on October 16, 2026, by operatives attached to the Central Police Station (CPS), Onitsha, following intelligence on the whereabouts of the vehicle.
The vehicle, with registration number ENU 387 BB, was reportedly stolen on October 9, 2026, before police operatives traced it to Calabar, where it was recovered.
The Anambra State Police Command said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence gathering, proactive policing and inter-state cooperation in tackling vehicle theft and other criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued in Awka, noting that the recovery formed part of the command’s sustained efforts to combat crime and protect lives and property.
Ikenga said the operation led to the recovery of the vehicle and the arrest of the suspect, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and determine the suspect’s level of involvement.
He explained that the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, had directed that the recovered vehicle be transferred to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, for further investigation and necessary action.
According to the police spokesman, investigators are expected to establish how the vehicle was allegedly stolen, the circumstances surrounding its movement from Anambra State to Cross River State, and whether other individuals were involved in the incident.
The command said the recovery underscored its commitment to pursuing criminal activities beyond state boundaries and ensuring that stolen property was traced and recovered, irrespective of where it might have been taken.
It added that intelligence-led operations and effective coordination among police formations remained critical to identifying suspects, disrupting criminal networks and improving public safety.
The police further assured residents that the command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, enhance operational coordination and collaborate with other security agencies where necessary to prevent and investigate criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, stolen vehicles and other criminal activities to the nearest police station or through established police communication channels.
The command emphasised that credible information from members of the public remained an important component of crime prevention and detection.
It reiterated its resolve to pursue all legitimate leads, recover stolen property and ensure that suspects were subjected to thorough investigations in accordance with the law..
