By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (Taskforce) has detained three suspected members of a syndicate accused of stealing vehicle parts from parked vehicles.

The Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan.

Akerele said the suspects were arrested at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Oshodi, while allegedly attempting to remove a brain-box from a Toyota Hilux.

He said the vehicle belonged to the VIO and was being used for official operations when the suspects were apprehended.

According to Akerele, a fourth suspect, identified simply as Tony, remains at large and is allegedly involved in receiving stolen vehicle components.

He said the suspects had been placed under surveillance following complaints from agencies within the Safety Arena over missing vehicle parts.

“Following complaints involving the theft of batteries, brain boxes, spare tyres, jacks and other essential vehicle components, I deployed strategies to track down the suspects,” he said.

Akerele said preliminary investigations showed the suspects targeted vehicles left unattended for several hours in garages and residential compounds.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects targeted vehicles that remained stationary for several hours in garages and compounds,” he stated.

The chairman said one suspect confessed during interrogation that the gang specialised in stealing brain-boxes and other vehicle components.

According to him, the suspect admitted the group could remove two or three brain-boxes on a good day before selling them.

“The suspect disclosed that brain-boxes allegedly stolen from vehicles in the area in September 2025 were sold to Tony for N70,000,” Akerele said.

He added that the suspect later implicated the two others after they failed to substantiate claims of operating a scrap-metal business.

Akerele assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after the conclusion of investigations.

He warned those involved in stealing and trading stolen vehicle components to desist or face legal consequences.

“The task force will not relent in protecting vehicle owners from criminal elements specialising in the theft of vehicle parts,” he said.

Akerele urged residents to report suspicious activities through official Taskforce feedback channels for swift intervention.

He stressed that the state government remained committed to public safety and would not tolerate criminal activities in Lagos. (NAN)

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