By Kolawole Omotola
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in the theft and vandalism of exotic vehicle components across the state.
The suspects—Obinna Okeke (27), Emmanuel Anyanwu (38), and Joshua Nkemdirim (31)—were apprehended following months of intelligence gathering and surveillance by police operatives.
According to police authorities, the trio specialised in disguising as security personnel to gain access to residential estates, where they reportedly carried out their operations.
Their method allegedly involved the use of a modified Mercedes-Benz car jack, which they used to intimidate unsuspecting victims while posing as operatives.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had briefly left Lagos in December 2025 but returned in January 2026 to resume their activities.
The gang is believed to have targeted high-end vehicles, particularly Toyota models and other SUVs, removing vital components such as brain boxes, wiring systems, side mirrors, control devices, and glass fittings.
Police operatives recovered several items from the suspects at the time of arrest, including a vehicle brain box, a Mercedes-Benz jack, and multiple number plates. During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the criminal operations and admitted to being part of a wider syndicate.
Speaking on the development, the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, confirmed that the suspects were cooperating with investigators and providing useful information to track down other members of the gang still at large.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to dismantle the entire network and bring all culprits to justice.
Jimoh also urged estate managers and security personnel to exercise caution and verify the identity of individuals claiming to be security operatives before granting them access into residential areas. He advised residents to liaise with the nearest police division or Divisional Police Officer (DPO) to confirm the authenticity of such claims.
The police boss emphasized that vigilance, cooperation, and timely reporting by members of the public remain crucial in strengthening security across Lagos communities.
