The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a 2016 Toyota Camry stolen from an Indian national in Lagos and returned it to its owner.
The vehicle, belonging to Abhay Singh, who operates from the Ilupeju Industrial Estate in Lagos, was reportedly stolen on September 9, 2026, by his newly employed driver, Waidi Olaide Kolawale.
According to the police, Kolawale had told his employer that he was taking the vehicle to a nearby vulcaniser to repair a damaged tyre but allegedly disappeared with the car.
After the theft was reported, the vehicle was electronically tracked to the Ifo area of Ogun State.
The information was passed to the Divisional Police Officer of Ifo Division, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi, who deployed surveillance and anti-robbery officers to locate the vehicle.
The operatives reportedly tracked the car through different locations before finding it at a hotel in Ifo around 8:30 p.m.
Police said Kolawale escaped after seeing the officers, taking the vehicle’s ignition key with him. His alleged accomplice, Monday Adetunji, was arrested at the hotel.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that the suspects had approached a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalytic converter, but the mechanic refused to do the job.
The recovered vehicle was taken to the Ifo Divisional Police Headquarters while the police continued efforts to arrest the fleeing suspect and determine the circumstances surrounding the theft.
Police Arrest Two Lagos Women Over Alleged False Access Bank Shutdown Report
After confirming ownership, the vehicle was formally handed back to Singh at the police station.
The Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, praised the officers for their quick response and urged vehicle owners to use tracking devices and other anti-theft measures.
The police also advised vehicle owners to carefully verify people they employ to handle their vehicles, homes and other property.
Hotel operators were similarly encouraged to properly verify guests and vehicles, keep accurate records and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
About the Author
