A suspected vehicle-parts theft operation has been uncovered at a Lagos government facility in Oshodi.
Three men were arrested while allegedly trying to remove the brain-box from a Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) van.
The suspects were caught on Sunday at the VIS office inside the Taskforce headquarters, Safety Arena, Oshodi.
They were identified as Kazim lyiola, alias Sabela, 46, Mohammed Rabiu and Alhaji Musa Saleh, 56. A fourth suspect, identified as Tony, is reportedly wanted for allegedly receiving stolen vehicle parts.
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as the Lagos State Taskforce, said the suspects targeted parked vehicles.
Investigators are also examining alleged thefts involving batteries, spare tyres and vehicle jacks.
Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the arrests followed complaints about missing parts from vehicles at the facility.
“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.
During questioning, lyiola allegedly described how the group targeted vehicles that remained parked for long periods.
“We mostly target stationary vehicles. On a good day, we remove two to three brain-boxes,” he was quoted as saying.
He allegedly told investigators that some stolen brain-boxes were sold to a motor-parts dealer identified as Tony.
The Taskforce said Tony remains at large while efforts continue to locate him.
The three arrested suspects remain in custody as investigators work to establish the full scale of the alleged operation.
The Lagos Taskforce brain-box theft case could also lead investigators to other people involved in receiving or selling stolen vehicle components.
Akerele warned that the agency would continue its crackdown on the theft and resale of vehicle parts.
He added that the suspects would face prosecution if investigations establish their involvement.
