The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a stolen 2016 Toyota Camry from a hotel in Ifo less than eight hours after it was reported stolen and arrested one suspect.
The vehicle, belonging to an Indian national based at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos, was allegedly stolen by his driver, Waidi Olaide Kolawale, who had been employed two days earlier.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Oluseyi Babaseyi, Kolawale told his employer on September 9 that he was taking the vehicle to a nearby vulcaniser to repair a tyre but allegedly absconded with it.
The vehicle was later electronically tracked to the Ifo axis, prompting the Divisional Police Officer, Ifo Division, Kamorudeen Olabisi, to deploy surveillance and anti-robbery operatives.
The operatives tracked the vehicle through several locations before finding it at a hotel in Ifo at about 8:30 pm.
The police said Kolawale fled with the ignition key after sighting the operatives, while his alleged accomplice, Monday Adetunji, was arrested at the scene.
Preliminary investigation reportedly showed that the suspects had approached a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalyst, but the mechanic declined.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Kolawale and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
The recovered vehicle has been secured by the police.
