The Lagos State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its crackdown on car theft and robbery, arresting suspected notorious members of a vehicle-snatching syndicate and recovering five stolen vehicles linked to the gang.
In a statement released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed that the arrests followed a painstaking intelligence-led investigation launched after a report of a stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model.
According to the statement, operatives deployed technical and tactical intelligence, leading to the recovery of the stolen vehicle at the point of re-registration. The operation subsequently exposed a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in stealing vehicles within Lagos and transporting them to Ibadan, Oyo State, and Ilorin, Kwara State, for concealment and resale.
Police investigations led to the arrest of one Segun Olawuwo, 58, in Ibadan, where another suspected stolen Toyota Corolla 2008 model was recovered. Further interrogation reportedly resulted in the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Femi Afolabi, 53, and Sunday Ugbomudia, 53, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The police also recovered a stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model and a Toyota Corolla 2006 model from the suspects. Their arrest further led to the recovery of another stolen Toyota Camry 2012 model allegedly sold to an unsuspecting buyer in Ibadan.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to participating in multiple car-snatching and robbery operations within and outside Lagos State.
The Command stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more vehicles linked to the criminal network.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for their professionalism, resilience, and commitment in combating crime across the state.
Residents were also urged to remain vigilant and provide credible information to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.