Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, otherwise known as the Lagos State Taskforce, have arrested three suspects allegedly caught attempting to remove the brain-box from a Vehicle Inspection Service operational van at the agency’s premises in Oshodi, CDA News Nigeria reports.
The suspects, identified as Kazim Iyiola, alias Sabela, 46; Mohammed Rabiu; and Alhaji Musa Saleh, 56, were apprehended on Sunday at the VIS office within the Taskforce headquarters, Safety Arena, Oshodi, while attempting to strip the component from a Toyota Hilux operational vehicle.
A fourth suspect, identified only as Tony and allegedly involved in receiving stolen vehicle parts, remains at large as investigations continue.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the arrests followed complaints over the disappearance of batteries, spare tyres, jacks and other vehicle components from parked vehicles within the premises. He assured that the suspects would be prosecuted if investigations established their culpability, warning others engaged in the theft and resale of vehicle parts that the clampdown would continue.
During interrogation, Iyiola reportedly confessed that the gang specifically targeted vehicles left stationary for extended periods, disclosing that stolen brain-boxes were often sold to Tony, a motor-parts dealer. He was quoted as saying, “We mostly target stationary vehicles. On a good day, we remove two to three brain-boxes.”
The Taskforce said the three suspects remain in custody pending further investigation, while efforts intensify to track down the fleeing fourth suspect. Akerele urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through official channels for prompt intervention.
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