Lagos Taskforce Arrests Three Over Alleged Theft of VIO Vehicle Brain-Box
By Temidayo Babalola
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has arrested three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly specialising in the theft of vehicle brain-boxes and other vital components.
A fourth suspect, identified simply as Tony, who is allegedly a motor-parts dealer responsible for receiving the stolen components, is currently at large.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the suspects had been under surveillance following repeated complaints from personnel of sister agencies operating within the Safety Arena over the disappearance of vehicle parts from parked vehicles.
Akerele said the complaints included the theft of batteries, spare tyres, jacks and other essential vehicle components.
He 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, Iyiola reportedly confessed that the syndicate targeted vehicles that remained stationary for several hours in garages and compounds.
He allegedly disclosed that the gang had previously stolen several vehicle parts, particularly brain-boxes, which were subsequently sold to Tony.
According to the suspect, brain-boxes allegedly removed from vehicles within the same vicinity in September last year were sold for N70,000.
He reportedly said, “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.”
The other two suspects initially claimed that they had previously worked together as a driver and mechanic at Marine Beach and were currently involved in the sale of iron scraps.
However, they reportedly became uneasy when asked to provide evidence of their alleged scrap-metal business transactions.
Iyiola subsequently implicated Rabiu and Saleh in the alleged criminal activities.
Akerele said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, warning other individuals involved in the theft and resale of vehicle components to desist from such activities.
He said the Taskforce would continue its efforts to protect vehicle owners from criminal elements involved in stealing brain-boxes, batteries, tyres, jacks, trafficators, lights and other vehicle components.
The Taskforce chairman also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through the agency’s official feedback channels to enable prompt intervention.
“There is no room for criminality in Lagos State,” Akerele emphasised.
The arrests and investigation are ongoing as efforts continue to apprehend the alleged receiver of the stolen vehicle components, identified as Tony.
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