The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended two citizens of Benin Republic for allegedly stealing a car.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to NAN on Thursday.
News About Nigeria reports that he revealed that the suspects, Kosoko Rafiu and Nunayo Sunayo, were caught attempting to flee with the vehicle along the Mile 2/Badagry Expressway on Tuesday.
According to Hundeyin, the suspects had hijacked the vehicle and were speeding away to avoid a police checkpoint when they were finally apprehended in the Abule Ado area.
The police spokesperson explained that the suspects had stolen the vehicle from a function in the Anthony Village area, specialising in stealing cars from events in Nigeria and escaping to their home country.
Hundeyin stated that the suspects took advantage of the ongoing protests in the state, thinking they could escape with the stolen vehicle unnoticed.
However, their plan was foiled when police operatives at the Trade Fair Complex received intelligence about the suspicious vehicle and intercepted it.
He said the operatives spotted the car speeding suspiciously and alerted their team to stop and search the vehicle. When the suspects arrived at the checkpoint, they attempted to flee but were pursued and eventually apprehended in the Abule Ado area.
“The DPO immediately alerted his team for a stop and search of vehicles. Immediately, the suspects got to the police checkpoint, and they sped off again.
“The suspects were immediately given a hot chase, and eventually the vehicle was flagged down in the Abule Ado area.
“Both suspects were promptly arrested with the stolen vehicle,” he said.
During the investigation, the suspects confessed to coming from the Benin Republic to steal vehicles in Nigeria.
He added that the police recovered a Toyota Corona with registration number JJJ 741 EJ and various charms from the suspects.
