By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested three suspected members of a car-snatching syndicate operating within and outside the state and recovered five stolen vehicles.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

Adebisi said the breakthrough followed a report of a stolen Toyota Camry 2008 model, which prompted operatives to launch an intelligence-led investigation.

She said the stolen vehicle was recovered at the point of re-registration through the deployment of technical and tactical intelligence.

According to her, the recovery led to the unraveling of a criminal syndicate involved in vehicle theft and robbery.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate operates within Lagos state, while concealing and disposing stolen vehicles in Ibadan and Ilorin.”

The spokesperson explained that operatives traced and apprehended a 58-year-old man in Ibadan, where another suspected stolen Toyota Corolla 2008 model was recovered from him.

She added that further investigation and interrogation led to the arrest of two other members of the syndicate, both aged 53, in Ilorin.

Adebisi said one Toyota Camry 2008 model and one Toyota Corolla 2006 model, both identified as stolen vehicles, were recovered from the suspects.

She added that the operation also led to the recovery of another stolen Toyota Camry 2012 model earlier sold to an unsuspecting buyer in Ibadan.

According to her, the suspects confessed to their involvement in a series of car-snatching and robbery operations within and outside Lagos state.

The image maker said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover more stolen vehicles linked to the gang.

She also said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, had commended the operatives for their professionalism and commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state.

Adebisi urged residents to remain vigilant and provide useful information through the command’s emergency lines: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870 and 09168630929. (NAN)

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