The Nigeria Police Force in Lagos has arrested three suspected members of a vehicle theft syndicate and recovered five cars believed to have been stolen across different locations.
The development was disclosed by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, in a statement issued on Thursday.
According to her, the operation began after police received a complaint concerning a stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model, prompting detectives to commence an intelligence-driven investigation.
She explained that officers successfully intercepted the vehicle during an attempted re-registration process using technical and tactical intelligence methods.
The recovery subsequently exposed a wider criminal network allegedly involved in vehicle theft and robbery operations.
Preliminary findings indicated that the syndicate carried out its activities in Lagos while transporting and concealing stolen vehicles in Ibadan and Ilorin.
Police operatives later tracked and arrested a 58-year-old suspect in Ibadan, where another suspected stolen Toyota Corolla 2008 model was recovered.
Further investigations and interrogation reportedly led to the arrest of two additional suspects, both aged 53, in Ilorin.
Authorities also recovered a Toyota Camry 2008 model and a Toyota Corolla 2006 model believed to have been stolen by the syndicate.
In addition, officers traced and recovered a Toyota Camry 2012 model that had allegedly been sold to an unsuspecting buyer in Ibadan.
The police said the suspects admitted involvement in several car-snatching and robbery incidents within Lagos and other states.
Investigators are currently working to apprehend other fleeing members of the group and recover more vehicles linked to the syndicate’s operations.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Fatai Tijani, praised the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and dedication in combating crime.
Residents were also encouraged to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities in the state.