By Our Reporter
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested suspected members of a notorious car-snatching syndicate and recovered five stolen vehicles linked to the group.
The police said the breakthrough followed a report of vehicle theft, which prompted operatives to launch an intelligence-led investigation using technical and tactical surveillance.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, a stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model was recovered at the point of re-registration, leading to the exposure of the criminal network.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the syndicate carried out vehicle theft operations within Lagos State while concealing and disposing of stolen vehicles in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Ilorin, Kwara State.
During the operation, detectives tracked and arrested a suspect identified as Segun Olawuwo, 58, in Ibadan, where another suspected stolen Toyota Corolla 2008 model was recovered from him.
Further investigations led to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Femi Afolabi, 53, and Sunday Ugbomudia, 53, in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The police recovered another Toyota Camry 2008 model and a Toyota Corolla 2006 model suspected to have been stolen from the suspects.
Their arrest also led to the recovery of a Toyota Camry 2012 model earlier sold to an unsuspecting buyer in Ibadan.
According to the police, the suspects confessed to involvement in several car-snatching and robbery operations within and outside Lagos State.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles linked to the gang.
The Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, commended the operatives for their professionalism, resilience, and dedication in tackling criminal activities across the state.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to the police through the Command’s emergency lines.
