The police command in Ogun State says it arrested a suspected vehicle theft kingpin, Mosuru Issa, and recovered a stolen wine-coloured Toyota Camry during a proactive stop-and-search operation along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

A statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesman, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the suspect was arrested on Friday at about 7:30 p.m while conducting routine patrol and stop-and-search along the Mowe axis.

The police said it stopped the vehicle for a security check. 

“The three occupants, on sighting the police, suddenly abandoned the vehicle and fled in different directions, raising suspicion,” he said. 

Mr Babaseyi said that the operatives immediately pursued them, resulting in the arrest of Mosuru Issa of Osungboye Street, Agege, Lagos State, while the stolen vehicle was secured and recovered.

He noted that preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was allegedly stolen on Monday from where it was parked in Ojoo, Lagos State.

“The incident underscores the importance of proactive policing, routine patrols and lawful stop-and-search operations in detecting criminal activity, recovering stolen property and preventing criminals from using Ogun’s highways as escape routes,” he said.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to locate the vehicle’s owner and apprehend the fleeing accomplices.

He added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.