Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have cracked a car theft syndicate that specialized in stealing vehicles directly from home compounds within the Akure metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that the command recovered a stolen Toyota ‘Muscle’ Camry and arrested one suspect who allegedly purchased the vehicle illegally.
According to Ayanlade, a complaint was filed on July 18, 2025, by Bolanle Akomolafe, who reported that unknown individuals had illegally entered her apartment at the Osi axis of Akure North Local Government Area.
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The police image maker explained that the suspects stole the key to her golden-coloured 2010 Toyota Camry and took away the unregistered vehicle alongside other valuable items.
He added, “Following diligent investigation and intelligence-led policing, operatives of the Command Surveillance Team, acting on credible information, successfully recovered the vehicle on September 7, 2025, in Owo, where it had been repainted from its original golden colour to blue and hidden in the apartment of one Fagbote Micheal Olamilekan.
“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the vehicle from one Adewumi (surname unknown), now at large, for ₦4 million, despite the vehicle having been previously purchased by the rightful owner on December 26, 2024, for ₦10 million.
According to the Guardian, it was revealed that the suspect colluded with a painter, who has been positively identified but is currently at large, to change the vehicle’s colour in an attempt to conceal its true identity. Both the painter and the seller of the stolen vehicle are actively being pursued by the police and will be brought to justice.
“The command seizes this opportunity to strongly warn all automotive artisans, including painters, panel beaters, rewire technicians, and mechanics, to exercise due diligence and verify ownership documents before undertaking repainting, reconfiguration, or major repairs on vehicles.
“Any artisan who collaborates, knowingly or otherwise, in tampering with stolen vehicles will be treated as an accomplice and will face the full weight of the law. Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing accomplices and dismantle the entire criminal network behind the theft.”
