Lagos police dismantle decade-old vehicle vandalism syndicate

The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a vehicle vandalism syndicate that had allegedly been operating for approximately 10 years. Operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, supervised by CSP Sunday Cirman, arrested two suspects identified as 46-year-old Uba Chigozie and 37-year-old Onyeka Emordi.

The gang members, who had previously worked as spare parts dealers at markets such as Ladipo and Papa Ajao, reportedly targeted Toyota models, specifically Corolla, Sienna, and Hilux vehicles. They focused on cars parked by roadsides or those that had broken down, stripping valuable components like brain boxes, air-conditioning vents, and push-button units in as little as 10 minutes.

During their operations, the group allegedly used an improvised weapon made from a Mercedes-Benz jack to threaten anyone who confronted them. Police reports indicate the syndicate could earn up to N100,000 per night. Chigozie, an indigene of Anambra State, was apprehended at a hotel in the Ijesha area of Lagos where he had been staying for several months.