THE Lagos State Police Command has arrested 46-year-old Jude Onouha, a suspected kingpin and leader of a notorious criminal syndicate accused of posing as security operatives in fake uniforms to hijack luxury cars from unsuspecting victims.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, the Command said the suspect used a Mercedes car jack, altered to resemble a firearm, to gain entry into estates across Lagos.
“Under the false pretense of conducting security investigations, they gained access to several residential estates. Once inside, the gang targeted high-end vehicles such as Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Lexus 650, Mercedes-Benz, and other SUVs, systematically vandalising them and removing vital and expensive components, including brainboxes, tapping glasses, wiring systems, side mirrors, and control devices,” the police said.
The command noted that efforts were underway to track down other members of the gang for investigation and prosecution.
“The kingpin arrested corroborated the crime, and he is assisting the police detectives in the further investigation of the case,” it added.
The command stated that items recovered from the suspect included a Mercedes-Benz car jack and a face cap bearing the inscription Special Force, which he allegedly used to pose as a security operative.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and their accomplices. The command hereby wishes to advise residents, particularly estate management and security guards, to exercise vigilance and utmost caution whenever person(s) present themselves as operatives of any security agency and seek to gain entrance into their estates,” the command urged.
It further advised Lagos residents to go beyond basic verification by working closely with the police, urging them to contact the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in their area to confirm the identity of any security personnel before granting them access to their estates.
“Where there is any doubt, such persons should immediately be referred to the nearest police division.”
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, also urged residents and estate managers to stay vigilant, work closely with their respective DPOs, and make use of the command’s emergency lines 08063299264, 09053872208, and 08087332678 for swift response and intervention.
He assured that with vigilance, cooperation, and prompt reporting, the safety and security of communities across Lagos State would be further reinforced.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.