In a dramatic turn of events, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ogun State have apprehended a suspected car thief, identified as 27-year-old mechanic Abiodun Ajao, for allegedly stealing a customer’s vehicle and attempting to sell its parts.
Ajao, who lives and works in Lagos, was arrested in the early hours of Thursday after driving the stolen Honda car, with registration number BDG 956-FJ, from Lagos to Idona, Ijebu Imusin, Ogun State. The suspect had already dismembered the vehicle in preparation for its sale when the NSCDC officers from the Ijebu East Central Division Esure, Ijebu Imusin, caught up with him.
During questioning, Ajao claimed that the car’s engine was in poor condition and that he was attempting to find buyers for its parts. The engine of the vehicle is bad, and I’m just trying to find some buyers for the parts since the engine is knocked and unusable, Ajao explained to the officers.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Dyke Ogbonnaya, further revealed that the suspect confessed to having driven the stolen car across Lagos and even test-driven it before taking it to Ijebu Imusin, where he began dismantling the engine and other parts. “I have already driven it to some distant parts of Lagos with passengers before bringing it down to Ijebu Imusin and en route Epe road before I was caught dismembering the engine and other parts of the vehicle,” Ajao reportedly said.
Ogbonnaya emphasized that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the theft and other individuals possibly involved in the crime. This arrest is a significant development in the ongoing efforts of the NSCDC to curb auto-theft and ensure the safety of both residents and their properties across the state.
The suspect remains in custody as the investigation continues.