Crime
“I’m A Car Thief, Not A Kidnapper,” Wheelchair-Bound Suspect
Chinaza Philip, a wheelchair-driving suspect, has admitted that he is a car thief rather than a kidnapper.
Following his activities in the Federal Capital Territory, the 28-year-old suspect, who hails from Enugu State, was apprehended in Kaduna.
However, his statement is that his gang specialises in auto theft not kidnapping which he is being accused of.
According to the suspect who was staggering in excruciating pain as a result of a gunshot on one of his legs, “anything I am telling you is the truth and nothing but the truth. I know some people will say I am lying. Between God and man, I am not a kidnapper. I want the whole world to know that I am not a kidnapper.
“I and my friends were on patrol, looking out for cars to steal. We collect cars from park. We saw one Hilux in a compound and we turned back. We entered and asked the owner for the key, which he gave us.
“The aim and plan was not to carry the man, but I don’t know why my friend Yellow said we should carry him. We took the man on the back seat with me. I never knew that the intention of Yellow is to collect money from him. He asked the man how much he has in his account and he said N5 million. I did not have power to stop Yellow, it was one of us who was pointing gun at the man.
“It was Yellow that brought the guns. I don’t know Yellow very well, it was my friend Chidiebere who introduced me to Yellow. I did not know it was kidnapping we were in for, I thought it was our normal car stealing.”
FCT Police boss, CP Garuba Haruna, who addressed newsmen on the subject, noted that it was apt to give an update on the steps the Command has taken to safeguard the lives and properties of the residents of FCT.
According to him, “The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun had on January 17, 2024 launched Special Intervention Squad (SIS) at Force Headquarters, Abuja to curb the menace of kidnapping and armed banditry and other sundry crimes in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The launch of this special squad has yielded positive results as all the identified bandit’s routes especially in Bwari Area Council has been blocked by the Police thereby denying them access into the FCT via Niger, Kaduna and Nasarawa States.
“Since then, no case of kidnapping has been recorded in that axis.
In addition, many kidnapping and armed robbery suspects have been arrested and victims rescued.
“In the same vein, several arms and live ammunitions and vehicles taken away from victims have been recovered.
The following is the synopsis of some of the successes recorded.
“On January 17, 2024 at around 7.pm, the complainant/victim, Segun Akinyemi of No 10 Birnin Kebbi street, Garki 2 Abuja, was abducted in front of his house while driving out with his gray colored Hilux Van with Reg. No. RBC 90 DL by four armed men who laid siege in a white Mercedez Benz 230 car.
“The FCT police command via the control room alerted the patrol teams and men on the entry/exit points for rescue of the victim and arrest of the suspects. The CP FCT placed a call to his counterparts in the contiguous states especially Kaduna.
“This contact paid off as police operatives in Kaduna intercepted the armed hoodlums at a filling station in Kawo, Kaduna State. There was an exchange of fire between the police operatives and the kidnappers. That while three of them escaped, one of the suspect later identified as Chinaza Philip Okoye was arrested.
“Three English pistols with 15 rounds of live ammunition and the said Hilux Van were recovered from him. The victim who was in the vehicle was rescued unhurt. “Preliminary investigation revealed that two out of four armed men are Abuja-based; Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and one Chidibere. It was also discovered that Chinaza Philip Okoye Michael and his accomplices had earlier been arrested, sometimes in November 2023, for armed robbery, and a snatched Honda car was recovered from them.
“He and his accomplices were arraigned before a High Court Judge in Kwali, Abuja, but were granted court bail, only for the suspects to get involved in this particular kidnapping case.”
The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a Lexus 460 SUV valued at ₦45 million, hours after it was allegedly stolen by its owner’s driver, who reportedly conspired with two other individuals to transport the vehicle to Cotonou, Benin Republic, for sale at ₦10 million.
The breakthrough followed a report received by detectives of the Agbado Division on November 12, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m., concerning the alleged theft of a black Lexus 460 SUV by the owner’s 28-year-old driver, Jeremiah Jacob Emmanuel.
The statement was issued on November 13, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun State Command, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, anipr, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
SEE ALSO: Ogun Police Deny Awujale Palace Siege, Explain Chief Gbenden’s Invitation
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the driver had conveyed his employer to his office earlier in the day but subsequently left with the vehicle without authorisation, allegedly claiming that his wife was indisposed.
He reportedly drove the vehicle to meet two other individuals identified as Akeem Olawale, 34, and Monday Keshi, who is currently at large.
The suspects had allegedly arranged to take the vehicle to Cotonou, Benin Republic, for sale at ₦10 million, despite its estimated value of ₦45 million.
Upon receiving the report, detectives of the Agbado Division immediately swung into action, deploying their investigative resources to track down the suspects.
The operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects at Agbado Crossing at about 7:00 p.m. on the same day, while the stolen Lexus was successfully recovered.
During preliminary investigation, the arrested suspect allegedly admitted involvement in the planned movement of the vehicle to Cotonou for sale.
The police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice, while the case would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for discreet investigation and further necessary action.
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, psc, FCSS, MNIPR, commended the detectives for their vigilance, swift response and professionalism.
He reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations, disrupt criminal networks and ensure that individuals involved in criminal activities are brought to justice.
The command also assured residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and provide credible information that could assist police operations.
The Oyo State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial burglar, Nasiru Abiodun, over multiple burglary incidents in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area of Ibadan, recovering stolen property estimated at ₦16.22 million.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka.
According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on October 31, 2026, at about 9:45 a.m. following a report from concerned residents of Oyewole Zone 2, Ile-Igbon, in the Ejiooku/Iyana Offa area.
SEE ALSO: Ebola: IGP Warns Nigerians Against Contact With Suspected Patients’ Body Fluids
Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Maku Base, reportedly apprehended Abiodun at a residential apartment with a sack containing house cables and other valuable items estimated at ₦3 million.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to burgling four different residential apartments within the area, carting away house cables, mobile phones, motorcycle batteries and other household valuables.
The police put the total estimated value of items stolen from the four apartments at ₦16.22 million, adding that some of the stolen property had already been recovered from the suspect.
Following his confession, operatives visited the identified crime scenes to establish relevant facts and advance the investigation.
The Command said efforts had been intensified to recover the remaining stolen items and apprehend other individuals suspected of receiving the stolen property.
It also appealed to residents of Ejiooku/Iyana Offa, Ile-Igbon and adjoining communities who may have experienced burglaries recently to report such incidents to the nearest police station or the Maku Base of the VCRU.
The appeal, according to the police, is aimed at identifying other possible victims and facilitating the recovery of additional stolen property.
The Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities through proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with members of the public.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that could assist the police in preventing and detecting crime.
The police provided the Oyo State Call Response Centre toll-free number, 615, and the Command’s control room numbers, 08081768614 and 07055495413, for emergency reports.
The Nigerian Navy has uncovered 132,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Allison community, Bonny Local Government Area, Rivers State.
This was detailed in a statement by the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, in which he disclosed that the Forward Operating Base Bonny discovered the stolen crude oil under Operation Delta Sentinel, following actionable intelligence.
He said the operation uncovered 10 dugout pits, adding that the site and the recovered products were handled in accordance with extant regulations.
“The operation reinforces the importance of intelligence-led action in identifying concealed petroleum stockpiles and disrupting the infrastructure that enables crude oil theft and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products.
“The Nigerian Navy will sustain efforts to locate and dismantle illegal refining infrastructure and disrupt the networks facilitating crude oil theft across the Niger Delta,” the statement said.
READ ALSO: FCT Motorists, Commuters Divided over NNPC Petrol Discount
The Navy urged community leaders, residents, traditional institutions and other stakeholders to promptly report crude oil theft, illegal refining, suspicious petroleum storage and the unauthorised movement of petroleum products to the nearest security agency.
Timely, credible information, the statement said, could enable swift intervention and prevent illicit activities from expanding.
“Safeguarding the nation’s critical petroleum assets requires vigilance and active cooperation between security agencies and the communities they serve. The Navy therefore urges the public to remain alert and support lawful efforts to protect national resources,” Folorunsho concluded.
How Rising Costs Are Pushing Nigerian Bakeries to the Brink
FULL LIST: 18 Nollywood Actors and Actresses Who Died in 2026
Tinubu Gov’t Unveils North Central Development Projects Across Eight Sectors
Obi, Kwankwaso Pledge to Tackle Corruption, Reduce Cost of Living
Dangote Plans 10,000MW Power Intervention, Raises Africa Investment Ambition to $70bn
40% of Breadmakers Shut Down as Atiku Accuses Tinubu of Economic Failure
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
