Rita Enemuru, Reporting
OPERATIVES of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected vehicle thief and recovered a stolen minibus, in what the force described as another significant success in its efforts to rid the state of criminality.
The Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Timfom John, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday on behalf of the State Police Commissioner, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, made available to Crimes Chroniclers .
According to the statement, the suspect, Anietie Etim, aged 36, of Ifa Atai Village in Uyo Local Government Area, was apprehended on July 5, 2026, at about 5:30pm, following credible and actionable intelligence. Recovered from him was one blue Daihatsu Hijet minibus with registration number KMK 625 ZT, suspected to have been unlawfully taken from its rightful owner.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, a commercial driver based in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, had been entrusted with the vehicle under a hire-purchase arrangement.
However, in breach of the agreement, he allegedly absconded with the vehicle without the owner’s knowledge or consent and relocated it to Uyo with the intention of disposing of it.
Acting swiftly on intelligence, operatives intercepted the suspect before he could execute his criminal plan, leading to his arrest and the recovery of the vehicle.
The owner, identified as Mr Pele of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has been contacted, while the recovered vehicle has been secured as an exhibit.
The police said investigations are ongoing to conclude the case and facilitate the prompt return of the vehicle to its lawful owner in accordance with due process.
