By ThePreview Team

 

The Edo State Police Command has recovered suspected stolen vehicles during a routine stop-and-search operation.

Eno Ikoedem, the command’s public relations officer, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ikoedem, an assistant superintendent of police, said on 22 June, officers attached to Textile Mill Road (TMR) Division 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.

Mr Ikoedem said preliminary checks on the vehicle revealed that the particulars presented by the driver were forged.

He said further investigation revealed that the vehicle belongs to Timothy Etinosa, who had earlier given the vehicle to Emmanuel Afolayan on a hire-purchase agreement.

However, the statement said, Mr Afolayan absconded with the vehicle in 2024 to an unknown destination, forged its documents, and subsequently sold it.

The driver of the vehicle, Ezikiel Aguele, male, aged 46 years, was arrested, the statement said.

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During interrogation, he led operatives to the arrest of the principal suspect, Mr Afolayan, and to the recovery of another vehicle that had been similarly stolen.

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

The Commissioner of Police (CP), Monday Agbonika, commends the vigilance and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation.

He reiterated the importance of stop-and-search operations as a proactive policing strategy that continues to aid crime prevention, detection, the recovery of stolen property, and the arrest of criminal elements.

The command encouraged members of the public to remain law-abiding and continue to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information that will assist in combating crime and criminality across the state.