Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have successfully apprehended a suspected member of a notorious car snatching syndicate and recovered a stolen school bus.

According to a press release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, with reference number AZ:5200/EBS/PPRO/VOL.9/19, the suspect, identified as Nwali Chibuike Solomon, was arrested on May 15, 2025, while attempting to sell a stolen vehicle in Idembia community, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Police investigations revealed that the recovered vehicle had been stolen from a private school in Abuja in March 2025, where it was used as a school bus. The suspect had already re-registered the vehicle in his name before his arrest.

During the operation, security forces also recovered military camouflage uniforms from the suspect, raising concerns about potential impersonation of military personnel by the criminal gang.

The Ebonyi State Police Command stated that efforts are currently ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the three-man gang who are still at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, has urged members of the public to utilize the Nigeria Police Force Digitised Central Motor Registry (E-CMR) platform to register their vehicles. This digital system is designed to improve tracking and recovery of vehicles in the event of theft.

This arrest comes amid growing concerns about vehicle theft across the country, with criminal syndicates increasingly targeting institutional vehicles such as school buses and commercial transport vehicles.