Three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly specialising in the theft of vehicle parts have been arrested while allegedly attempting to remove a brain-box from a vehicle at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), Oshodi, Lagos.
The suspects, identified as Kazzim Iyiola, aka Sabela, 46; Mohammed Rabiu; and Alhaji Musa Saleh, 56, were arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as the Lagos State Task Force.
The Task Force spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday and made available to the Nigerian Tribune.
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According to the statement, the suspects were apprehended at the VIO office while allegedly attempting to remove the brain-box from a Toyota Hilux operational vehicle belonging to the agency.
It added that a fourth suspect, identified simply as Tony, a motor-parts dealer who allegedly received stolen vehicle parts, remained at large.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the suspects had been placed under surveillance following repeated complaints from sister agencies operating within the Safety Arena over the disappearance of vehicle parts from parked vehicles.
He said the complaints involved the theft of batteries, spare tyres, jacks and other vehicle components.
Akerele said, “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.”
During interrogation, Kazzim, popularly known as Sabela, reportedly admitted that the gang targeted vehicles that remained stationary for several hours in garages and compounds.
He also reportedly confessed that the gang had previously stolen several vehicle parts, particularly brain-boxes, adding that brain-boxes allegedly removed from vehicles within the same vicinity in September last year were sold to Tony for ₦70,000.
“We mostly target stationary vehicles. On a good day, we remove two to three brain-boxes. Occasionally, we also target vehicles parked at owners’ risk,” he reportedly said.
The other two suspects initially claimed that they had previously worked together as a driver and mechanic at Marine Beach and were now involved in the sale of iron scraps.
However, they reportedly became uneasy when asked to provide evidence of their alleged scrap-metal business transactions.
Akerele assured that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, warning that the arrest should serve as a deterrent to individuals involved in the theft and resale of vehicle components.
He said the Task Force would continue efforts to protect vehicles and their owners from criminals involved in stealing brain-boxes, batteries, tyres, jacks, trafficators, lights and other vital vehicle components.
“I urge members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through our official feedback channels for prompt action. There is no room for criminality in Lagos State,” he added.
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