Ondo Police Bust Car Theft Syndicate; Arrests Buyer

Members of the Ondo State Police Command have dismantled a vehicle theft ring that focuses on infiltrating residential areas and making off with automobiles in Akure, the capital city of the state.

The command’s public relations officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, who revealed this detail in an official release on Friday, September 12, 2025, indicated that officers had retrieved a Toyota ‘Muscle’ Camry that had been taken from Madam Akomolafe Bolanle in Akure.

As per the police spokesperson, the automobile was subsequently located after it underwent a color change from its initial golden shade to blue and was stashed away inside the residence of an individual named Michael Olamilekan.

During questioning, the accused admitted that he had acquired the car from someone identified only as Adewumi (last name unknown), who remains on the run, for the sum of N4 million.

“The Ondo State Police Command, under the proactive leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, PSC+, MNIPS, and in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has once again recorded a major breakthrough in its relentless fight against crime in the State,” the statement read.

“On the 18th day of July, 2025, at about 4:00 a.m., a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, and stealing was reported at Osi Area, Akure.

“According to the complainant, Madam Akomolafe Bolanle ‘f’, some unknown persons unlawfully gained access into her apartment, which had no burglary proof, stole the key to her Toyota Camry (Muzzle, Golden Colour, 2010 Model, Unregistered), and carted away the said vehicle along with other valuable items.

“Following diligent investigation and intelligence-led policing, operatives of the Command Surveillance Team, acting on credible information, successfully recovered the vehicle on the 7th of September, 2025, in Owo, where it had been repainted from its original golden colour to blue and concealed in the apartment of one Fagbote Micheal Olamilekan ‘m’.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the vehicle from one Adewumi (surname unknown), now at large, at the rate of N4 million, despite the vehicle having been previously purchased by the rightful owner on 26th December, 2024, at the rate of N10 million.”

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli