Police apprehend fleeing suspect in Ondo, recover stolen vehicle
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected car thief who allegedly jumped into the Ogbese River while attempting to evade arrest during an operation in Akure.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement issued on Saturday, noting that the operation led to the recovery of a stolen vehicle and the arrest of two suspects.
According to the police, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received on April 30, 2026, indicating that a stolen silver Hyundai vehicle taken from Lagos State was being driven towards Abuja.
“Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swiftly mobilised and deployed both intelligence and technology-driven strategies to track the movement of the vehicle,” the statement read.
The command further explained that the suspect, identified as ThankGod Unchena, attempted to escape upon sighting police operatives by jumping into the Ogbese River before being apprehended a while later.
The police equally revealed that another suspect, Adewole Muyedeen, who was allegedly picked up as a passenger, was also arrested after being found in control of the vehicle under suspicious circumstances.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the suspects may be linked to a wider criminal network, and efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other accomplices,” the statement added.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Adebowale Lawal, commended the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to continue providing timely information to aid crime-fighting efforts.
