A major car dealer, who operates in Rivers State, buying stolen vehicles, register and number them afresh with connivance of some vehicle licensing offices before selling them off has been arrested by operatives of the Delta State police command.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the suspect identified as Godwin jnr, and others, were arrested when a stolen GLK Mercedes Benz in the state was tracked to his house in Rivers State, adding that several other stolen vehicles were also found at his house.
Confirming the development, Delta State, state Police Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe said the car dealer specialised in buying stolen vehicles, register and number them afresh with connivance of some vehicle licensing offices before selling them off.
Edafe said others were arrested for phone theft and various crimes in Warri and environs.
He said the other criminals operated in Keke with some even stabbing their victims before snatching their valuables.
Items recovered from the criminals include AK-47 rifles, double barrel guns, daggers, charms, master keys used to steal cars parked by their owners.
He said the suspects would be prosecuted accordingly.
In a related development, Operation Hakorin Damisa IV embedded in Operation Safe Haven, OpSH has arrested 39 criminal suspects in connection with banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as well as recovered arms/ammunition and hard drugs from suspected criminals in some communities in Plateau State.
Also, 17 kidnapped victims, were rescued, an attempt to rustle cows was foiled and attackers repelled in vulnerable communities, especially in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs.
The Media Information Officer,
Operation Safe Haven, Captain James Oya in a statement issued in Jos on Tuesday said the feats were achieved between the 14th and 21st of this month.
According to him, “Troops of Operation Safe Haven, OpSH on Operation Hakorin Damisa IV from 14 to 21 August 2023 have arrested 39 criminal suspects in connection with banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery as well as recovered arms/ammunition and hard drugs. The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint Operation Area of Operation Safe Haven and the 3 Division Nigerian Army area of responsibility. Two of the suspects have been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robbery and kidnapping activities.
“Troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one pump-action magnum gun, one AK 47 Magazine, 14 rounds of 7.62mm special and an ideal mobile phone from the suspects. A suspected kidnapper and arms dealer was also captured at Kuba village in Bokkos LGA of Plateau State.
Similarly, troops arrested two militia gang members identified to be among those who attacked Heipang general area recently and recovered two AK 47 rifles, seven fabricated rifles and four pump action cartridges during the operations.
“A drug syndicate operating in Bassa LGA was also nabbed during a sting operation and seven drug peddlers were arrested with a large cache of drugs. Additionally, troops arrested a total of 307 cows for grazing on farmlands belonging to locals at Kubat Community and Mabel village of Mangu and Bokkos LGAs respectively.”