Ogun police track stolen car to Ifo hotel, arrest suspect
Ogun Police Recover Stolen Vehicle Within Hours of Theft
The Ogun State Police Command has successfully recovered a stolen 2016 Toyota Camry at a hotel in Ifo, less than eight hours after the vehicle was reported missing.
The car, which belongs to an Indian national residing in Lagos at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate, was reportedly taken by his driver, Waidi Olaide Kolawale, who was employed just two days prior. Kolawale allegedly informed his employer that he was taking the vehicle to a vulcaniser for tire repairs but instead absconded with it.
After the theft was reported, police utilized electronic tracking technology to locate the car in the Ifo area. Information was relayed to Chief Superintendent of Police Kamorudeen Olabisi, the Divisional Police Officer for Ifo, who promptly deployed surveillance and anti-robbery operatives.
The operatives tracked the vehicle through various locations before discovering it at a hotel around 8:30 p.m. When they arrived, Kolawale fled the scene, but one suspect, identified as Monday Adetunji, was arrested.
According to a statement from Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had attempted to solicit a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalytic converter, but the mechanic declined their request.
“The vehicle has been secured while efforts continue to apprehend the fleeing suspect and to understand the full circumstances surrounding the incident,” Babaseyi stated.
He emphasized that the swift recovery reflects the Command’s commitment to technology-driven and intelligence-led policing. Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni commended the Ifo operatives for their prompt action and encouraged vehicle owners to install reliable tracking and anti-theft devices.
Additionally, the police advised the public to exercise caution when hiring drivers and urged hoteliers to maintain accurate guest records while reporting any suspicious activities through the Gateway Shield toll-free line.
