Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, arrested three suspected exotic vehicle parts thieves after months of surveillance.
The suspects: Obinna Okeke (27), Emmanuel Anyanwu (38) and Joshua Nkemdirim (31) are identified as members of a notorious criminal syndicate specialised in disguising as security operatives and using a Mercedes car jack, modified as firearms, to gain access to estates within the Lagos metropolis.
They allegedly travelled out of Lagos in December 2025 and returned to the state in January 2026 to continue their nefarious acts.
However, luck ran out of them, as police detectives arrested them.
The gang, which specialises in the removal of brain boxes, wiring, side mirrors, tapping glasses, control devices and other expensive car components, had reportedly entered some estates to vandalise Toyota vehicles and other SUVs.
During their arrest, the police recovered a brain box, Mercedes Benz jack, number plates and others. The suspects, upon interrogation, confessed to being members of a criminal syndicate that specialises in vandalising vehicles within Lagos and environs.
The outgoing Commissioner of Police (CP), (AIG) of Police, Moshood Jimoh, an Assistant Inspector General (AIG), said the suspects corroborated the allegation, and were assisting detectives in investigation of the case.
He stressed that efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the gang for investigation and prosecution.
Jimoh advised residents, particularly estate management and security guards, to be vigilant whenever individuals represent themselves as operatives of any security agency and seek to gain entrance into their estates.
In addition to basic verification, he urged residents to collaborate with the police by contacting the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering their area to confirm the authenticity of any such security personnel before granting them access to their estates.
Where there is any doubt, such persons should immediately be referred to the nearest police division.
The CP assured that together, through vigilance, cooperation and timely reporting, the safety and security of all communities in Lagos would be strengthened.
