Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old suspected vehicle thief and recovered a stolen minibus during an intelligence-led operation in Uyo.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare.
According to the statement, the suspect, Anietie Etim of Ifa Atai Village in Uyo Local Government Area, was apprehended by operatives of the Command on 5 July 2026 at about 5:30 p.m. following credible intelligence.
Police said the operatives recovered a blue Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number KMK 625 ZT, which is suspected to have been unlawfully taken from its rightful owner.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Etim, a commercial driver based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, had been entrusted with the vehicle under a hire-purchase arrangement.
However, he allegedly breached the agreement by absconding with the vehicle without the owner’s knowledge or consent and relocating it to Uyo, where he reportedly intended to sell it.
The statement said officers acted swiftly on actionable intelligence, intercepting the suspect before he could dispose of the vehicle.
The operation led to his arrest and the successful recovery of the minibus.
The police identified the owner of the vehicle as Mr Pele of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, adding that he has been contacted.
The recovered vehicle has been secured as an exhibit pending the conclusion of investigations and its return to the lawful owner in accordance with due process.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to combating crime across the state and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support policing efforts.
