Three Stolen Vehicles Recovered, Including N12m Toyota Camry Sold for N700k
AKURE — The Ondo State Police Command has arrested four suspected members of a notorious inter-state car theft syndicate operating across Ondo and neighbouring states.
The arrests were made following a coordinated operation by the Tactical Intelligence Squad (TIS), leading to the recovery of three stolen vehicles, including a 2016 Toyota Camry, which was allegedly stolen from the residence of one Amokun Victor in Oka-Akoko.
While parading the suspects at the Command Headquarters in Akure, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Afolabi, disclosed that the Camry, valued at over N12 million, was sold for just N700,000 to an accomplice in Ogori-Magongo, Kogi State.
He said the prime suspect, 32-year-old Afolabi Emmanuel, confessed to scaling the victim’s fence, burgling the house, and fleeing with the car and other valuables.
Further investigations by the police led to the recovery of two additional vehicles, including a Toyota Sienna van worth N6 million, which had been sold for N4 million.
According to the CP, the syndicate has been linked to multiple vehicle thefts in the region. He revealed that the ringleader operates out of Lagos but regularly travels to Akungba-Akoko, his father’s hometown, to identify potential targets.
“It was during these visits that he would scout and mark out targets before launching coordinated thefts. Their arrest is a major breakthrough in dismantling criminal networks that have terrorised law-abiding citizens,” Afolabi said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
“We want residents to be assured that the Police are working tirelessly to ensure their safety. Our goal is for every citizen to sleep at night without fear,” the CP added.
