Salvation Church pastor arrested in Abuja over alleged interstate car theft

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a man who identified himself as a pastor, Edwin Nwabueze, over alleged involvement in an interstate vehicle theft syndicate.

The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, announced the arrest in a statement issued to journalists on Friday, October 30. Adeh said the investigation began after a Toyota Camry was stolen at UTC Plaza in Abuja’s Garki District.

According to the statement, Nwabueze is from Oji River in Enugu State but lives in Benue State. He identified himself as a pastor with Salvation Power Bible Ministry in the North Bank area of Benue. Adeh said police arrested him at his residence following sustained investigations into the theft.

She added that Nwabueze subsequently led operatives to another location, where they arrested his alleged accomplice, Sadiq Jamiu. “Preliminary investigations have also linked the suspect to previous arrests by the Benue State Police Command in connection with vehicle theft cases,” the statement said.

“Further findings indicate that the suspects are members of an interstate vehicle theft syndicate specialising in the theft and sale of vehicles across different states of the country.” Adeh said investigators were working to establish the full extent of the alleged syndicate’s activities and locate other suspected members.

“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the syndicate’s operations and apprehend other members who are currently at large,” she said. “The arrested suspects are in police custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.” The allegations against the suspects have not been determined by a court.