KINGSLEY EBERE
Police operatives have arrested a native doctor, who allegedly prepares charms for criminals, which they used to snatch 79 different brand of vehicles during operations in Rivers State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the native doctor in question was arrested alongside 25 other suspects over vehicle theft and other criminal activities across the state by the State Police Command in Port Harcourt.
This was disclosed by the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, while parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters. He said that the suspects were responsible for about 79 cars stolen from the state.
The Police boss, CP Disu, revealed that one of the suspects, a herbalist, who prepared charms for the criminals before operations, was also apprehended and is helping in the investigation.
“For some time now, we noticed that a lot of cars have been stolen and some robbed. So we tasked officers of our tactical team to investigate it. I am very happy to inform you that about 26 suspects specialised in stealing vehicles and robbing them have been arrested.”
He added that the Police Command’s greatest joy was the arrest of Chidozie Onyekwe, leader of the gang, and Kelechi Uzogwe, a mechanic, who specialises in removing trackers from stolen cars.
“Chidozie is the leader of persons who come into Rivers State to steal cars. Not only does he come in here, he trains personnel.”
“He is linked to all the suspects who have been arrested at one time or the other for this same offence of stealing cars.”
“At the same time, Kelechi Uzogwe is an expert in removing trackers in vehicles. Almost all the vehicles stolen from Rivers State must pass through Kelechi to remove the trackers. He is also a wonderful mechanic.”
“Most of these cars stolen were taken to Anambra and Kano State and some of them find their way out of the country. The cars were taken to ‘Mgbuka’ in Obosi, Onitsha, where they are dismembered in pieces and sold as scraps.”
“In total, 79 vehicles have been linked to all these suspects paraded here. Most of the suspects met themselves while they were in the Correctional Centre, and about five of them are ex-convicts,” he said.
CP Disu further disclosed that several firearms have been recovered, alongside several spare keys used in moving the stolen vehicles and stated that the suspects will be charged before the Court for the alleged offence under the Criminal Laws of the State but that will be after the conclusion of investigations by the Police.