Sam Philip
Three stolen vehicles have been recovered by the Tactical Intelligence Squad(TIS) of Ondo State Police Command.
They recovered the vehicles from a notorious inter-state syndicate that specialized in car-snatching.
The squad acted on the confessional statement of the ring leader of the notorious syndicate, Afolabi Emmanuel, 32, that has been tormenting the people of the state and made significant breakthrough.
Afolabi, who stole Amokun Victor’s Toyota Camry 2016 model from his residence in Oka-Akoko and sold it to another member of the syndicate at Ogori Magogo in Benue State.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday l, the Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said the TIS men were able to arrest the receiver of the car who they said claimed to have bought the N12m car at N700,000.
During interrogation of the suspects, it was discovered that the syndicate had been responsible for several vehicles that had been stolen from the state.
The police team worked on the confessional statement of the suspects and was able to recover a Toyota Sienna worth N6m but was sold for N4m.
They have not only been terrorizing the state, but they also robbed people of the hard earned money.
It was discovered that the ring leader, Afolabi, is based in Lagos, but his father is based in Akungba-Akoko.
Whenever he wanted to operate, he would come home on visit and in the process identify the vehicle he wants to steal and sneaked into the compound and cart the vehicle away.
When the owner of the Toyota Camry, Amokun Victor reported in the police station, he said Afolabi scaled the perimeter fence of his residence and gained entry into his apartment.
He examined that he stole his money and other valuables before driving away his car.
The Police have arrested four among members of the syndicate and three vehicles have been recovered.
The Police Commissioner therefore called on vehicle owners in the state to ensure they secure their vehicles either by installing tracker or using pedal lock to prevent criminals from carting away their vehicles.
He, however, promise that “We will not relent in our efforts to providing security for the people of the state and their property so they can sleep with both eyes closed.
