The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a stolen 2016 Toyota Camry from a hotel in Ifo, less than eight hours after the vehicle was reported missing.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday, September 13, said the vehicle belonged to an Indian national based at Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos, and was allegedly stolen by his newly employed driver, Waidi Kolawale. The suspect reportedly took the vehicle under the pretext of repairing a tyre at a nearby vulcaniser but allegedly absconded with it.
Babaseyi said electronic tracking led police operatives to the Ifo axis, where surveillance and anti-robbery teams eventually traced the vehicle to a hotel at about 8:30 p.m. Kolawale reportedly fled on sighting the police, while an alleged accomplice, Monday Adetunji, was arrested.
Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects had allegedly approached a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalyst, but the mechanic declined. Police said the recovered vehicle had been secured, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and determine the full circumstances of the incident.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their swift response and urged vehicle owners to adopt anti-theft measures such as tracking devices, steering locks and tyre locks. He also advised the public to exercise due diligence when entrusting others with vehicles and other property.
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