The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, also known as the Taskforce, has arrested three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in stealing vehicle parts.
The suspects were apprehended at the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) in Oshodi while allegedly attempting to remove the brain-box from a Toyota Hilux belonging to the VIO.
Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan.
Akerele said a fourth suspect, identified as Tony, remains at large and is allegedly responsible for receiving stolen vehicle components.
According to him, the suspects came under surveillance following complaints from agencies within the Safety Arena about the theft of vehicle batteries, brain-boxes, spare tyres, jacks and other components.
He said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects targeted vehicles left unattended for several hours in garages and residential compounds.
Akerele added that one of the suspects confessed that the group specialised in stealing brain-boxes and other vehicle parts, sometimes removing two or three in a single day before selling them.
He said the suspect disclosed that brain-boxes allegedly stolen from vehicles in the area in September 2025 were sold to Tony for N70,000.
The suspect subsequently implicated the two other arrested persons after they were unable to substantiate claims that they operated a scrap-metal business.
Akerele assured that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law after investigations are concluded.
He also warned individuals involved in the theft and trading of stolen vehicle components to desist, stressing that the Taskforce would continue efforts to protect vehicle owners from criminal elements.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities through the agency’s official feedback channels to enable prompt intervention.