LAGOS – Operatives from the Ilasan Division of the Lagos State Police Command have successfully dismantled a car snatching syndicate, arresting five suspects and the individual who purchased and dismantled the stolen vehicle.
The incident began on August 1, 2025, when a taxi driver reported to the police that he had been robbed of his car. According to the report, three men had boarded his black Toyota Corolla after ordering his services along Platinum Way in the Jakande area of Lekki.
The situation turned violent during the trip. One of the suspects produced a locally made pistol, pointed it at the driver, and forcefully ejected him from his vehicle. The assailants then fled the scene with the car.
Through a combination of diligent investigation and intelligence-led operations, detectives tracked down and apprehended the five individuals allegedly involved in the crime. The arrested suspects have been identified as Favour Sunday (25), Ikot Moses (28), Dickson Ighobue Harrison (35), Joshua Adedamola (27), and Daniel Jonathan (26).
Further investigation into the case revealed that the stolen Toyota Corolla was quickly sold for ₦500,000 to a receiver identified as Wasiu Arinola (40). Rather than keeping or reselling the vehicle intact, Arinola reportedly dismantled the car entirely and sold its parts separately.
The long arm of the law eventually caught up with Arinola, who was subsequently arrested in Ibadan, Oyo State, highlighting the inter-state nature of the criminal operation.
The suspects are expected to be charged in court following the conclusion of the investigation.
