Police Bust Car Theft Syndicate In Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully dismantled a car theft syndicate with the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of a stolen Toyota Hiace bus.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Sunday, the operation was launched following a report filed on August 1, involving a stolen vehicle and a suspect identified as Salisu Ibrahim Abdullahi, 31.

Acting swiftly on credible intelligence, he said detectives from the Command’s Tactical Team in Isheri traced and apprehended Abdullahi in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Subsequent investigations led the police to Kano State, where three additional suspects linked to the crime were arrested.

The suspects include 45-year-old mechanic Yenusa Salihu, 49-year-old car dealer Baba Jero Idris, and 41-year-old businessman Abdullahi Aliyu.

The stolen grey Toyota Hiace bus was also recovered during the operation in Kano.

The suspects are currently in police custody and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

“On 1 August 2025, a report was received on a suspected case of car theft involving one Salisu Ibrahim Abdullahi ‘m’ aged 31.

“Acting swiftly on the report, detectives deployed intelligence-driven techniques, which led to the arrest of the principal suspect, Salisu Ibrahim Abdullahi, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of three accomplices: Yenusa Salihu ‘m’ aged 45, a mechanic; Baba Jero Idris ‘m’ aged 49, a car dealer; and Abdullahi Aliyu ‘m’ aged 41, a businessman.

“All three were apprehended in Kano State, and the operation also resulted in the recovery of the stolen grey Toyota Hiace bus in the same location.

“The suspects will be charged in court upon conclusion of the ongoing investigation,” Hundeyin said.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their intelligence-led approach and swift action.

He reiterated the Command’s commitment to deploying modern policing strategies to combat vehicle theft and bring criminals to justice.