Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (Taskforce) have arrested three suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in stealing vehicle parts, including brain boxes, batteries, and other accessories, from parked vehicles in Lagos.
The suspects, identified as Kazzim Iyiola, also known as Sabela, 46; Mohammed Rabiu; and Alhaji Musa Saleh, 56, were arrested at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Oshodi while allegedly attempting to remove the brain-box from a Toyota Hilux operational vehicle belonging to the agency.
A fourth suspect, identified only as Tony, a motor-parts dealer alleged to have received the stolen items, is currently at large.
According to the Lagos State Taskforce, Iyiola, who resides at Marine Beach, Apapa, and Rabiu, of Alaba Oro, Amukoko, were arrested alongside Saleh, a trailer driver from Kano who lives in Marine Beach.
Speaking on the arrest, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the suspects had been under surveillance following repeated complaints from government agencies operating within the Safety Arena over the disappearance of vehicle parts from parked vehicles.
“I received complaints from top management and staff alleging that men posing as motor mechanics were disappearing with vehicle parts. I immediately put strategies in place to track them down,” Akerele said.
He explained that the reported thefts involved vehicle batteries, spare tyres, jacks and other essential components.
During interrogation, the Taskforce said Iyiola allegedly confessed that the syndicate mainly targeted vehicles left unattended for several hours in garages and compounds.
“We mostly target stationary vehicles. On a good day, we remove two to three brain-boxes. Occasionally, we also target vehicles parked at owners’ risk,” he was quoted as saying.
The suspect also allegedly admitted that brain-boxes stolen from vehicles in the same area in September last year were sold to the fleeing suspect, Tony, for ₦70,000 each.
The Taskforce said Rabiu and Saleh initially claimed they had previously worked together as a driver and mechanic at Marine Beach and were now engaged in the scrap-metal business. However, they allegedly failed to provide evidence of their business activities during questioning, after which Iyiola implicated them in the alleged thefts.
Akerele said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, adding that the arrests should serve as a warning to individuals involved in stealing and trading vehicle components.
“There is no room for criminality in Lagos State. I urge members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through our official feedback channels for prompt action,” he said.
He reiterated the agency’s commitment to protecting vehicle owners from criminals who specialise in stealing brain-boxes, batteries, tyres, jacks, trafficators, lights and other vital vehicle parts. #securitynewsalert.com
