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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Police recover two stolen vehicles, arrest suspects in Edo

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • The Edo State Police Command arrested two suspects and recovered two stolen vehicles in separate operations.
  • One vehicle was recovered during a stop-and-search operation, while the other was found during an investigation.
  • The suspects confessed to the crimes and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.

The Edo State Police Command has apprehended two individuals and recovered two stolen vehicles through separate operations within the state. The arrests and recoveries were detailed in a statement released Thursday by the command's spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem.

On 22nd June, 2026, officers on routine stop-and-search duty at a checkpoint along Siluko Road, Benin City, intercepted a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus, ash in colour, with registration number GBZ 646 YK, Edo State. Preliminary checks on the vehicle revealed that the particulars presented by the driver were forged.

— Edo State Police Command SpokespersonDetailing the recovery of the first stolen vehicle.

During a routine stop-and-search operation on June 22 along Siluko Road in Benin City, officers intercepted a Daihatsu Hijet mini bus. Preliminary checks revealed that the vehicle's documentation was forged. Further investigation uncovered that the bus belonged to Dr. Timothy Etinosa, who had leased it to Emmanuel Afolayan under a hire-purchase agreement. Afolayan allegedly absconded with the vehicle in 2024, forged its documents, and sold it.

Further investigation disclosed that the vehicle belongs to one Dr. Timothy Etinosa, who had earlier given the vehicle to one Emmanuel Afolayan on a hire-purchase agreement. However, Emmanuel Afolayan absconded with the vehicle in 2024 to an unknown destination, forged its documents, and subsequently sold it.

— Edo State Police Command SpokespersonExplaining the history of the first recovered vehicle.

The driver of the intercepted bus, identified as Ezikiel Aguele, 46, was arrested. During interrogation, Aguele led operatives to the arrest of the primary suspect, Emmanuel Afolayan. The investigation also resulted in the recovery of a second stolen vehicle.

During interrogation, he led operatives to the arrest of the principal suspect, Emmanuel Afolayan, and the recovery of another vehicle which was similarly stolen.

— Edo State Police Command SpokespersonDescribing how the second suspect and vehicle were found.

Both suspects have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the theft and forgery. They are awaiting charges in court once investigations are finalized. Police Commissioner Monday Agbonika commended the officers involved for their vigilance and professionalism, reiterating the effectiveness of stop-and-search operations in crime prevention and recovery of stolen property. He urged the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing credible information.

The suspects have confessed to the offence and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

— Edo State Police Command SpokespersonStating the current status of the suspects.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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