By David Akinadewo-Adekahunsi
The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a three-man syndicate notorious for stealing vehicles using master keys and transporting them out of the state, primarily to Lagos, where they were butchered and sold as spare parts.
The suspects, identified as 38-year-old Rotimi Akinsanoye, 43-year-old Temidayo Folajimi, and 51-year-old Waheed Adekanbi, were paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, on Monday in Akure.
The syndicate primarily targeted vehicles parked outside residential compounds or on the roadside, often operating in the early hours of the morning when their owners were preparing for work.
Akinsanoye, the alleged mastermind, confessed to stealing seven vehicles, including two Toyota Camrys (popularly known as Tiny Light), one Honda CRV, and four Toyota Corollas of 2003 and 2005 models.
During the interrogation, Akinsanoye revealed that he used master keys to start and steal the vehicles before delivering them to Folajimi.
The stolen vehicles were then handed over to Adekanbi, nicknamed “Elubo,” who dismantled them into parts at Owode Onirin in Lagos.
While five of the stolen vehicles had already been butchered, two were recovered intact by the police.
Commissioner Afolabi disclosed that the syndicate’s activities came to light in 2024 after a car owner in the Oke Aro area of Akure reported his vehicle missing from his car park.
The vehicle was flagged down two weeks ago when it was presented for registration at the Licensing Office.
This led to the arrest of the man attempting to register the car, who claimed to have purchased it for ₦4.3 million from Folajimi in Lagos.
Further investigations led to the arrests of Akinsanoye and Adekanbi.
Akinsanoye, who blamed the harsh economic conditions in the country for his descent into crime, admitted to having stolen and butchered multiple vehicles before his arrest.
“I can use any available key to start a car I want to steal,” he said.
Adekanbi, meanwhile, is currently assisting the police with investigations to verify the disposal of the remaining vehicles.
Besides, the Commissioner of Police issued a stern warning to the public against using tinted windows or obscuring vehicle number plates, noting that such practices are increasingly being exploited by criminals.
“Anyone caught engaging in these practices will be arrested, and their car impounded,” Afolabi warned.
He also urged vehicle owners to secure their cars with tracking devices or improved locking systems to prevent theft.
“If tracking devices are too costly, a pedal lock should suffice. These measures will go a long way in discouraging car theft and frustrating the efforts of criminals,” he added.
The police chief called on the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement to tackle rising criminal activities in the state.
He emphasised the importance of public support in ensuring that crimes such as car theft are brought under control.
