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By Christopher Oji
Two Benin Republic nationals have been arrested for stealing a vehicle in Lagos State.
The suspects, Kosoko Rafiu and Nunayo Sunayo, were arrested in their attempt to escape with the vehicle along the Mile 2-Badagry Expressway on August 6, 2024.
It was reported that the suspects, after snatching the vehicle, were driving at top speed to evade the police at a checkpoint but they were arrested in the Abule Ado area of the state after police chased them.
Confirming the story, the Police Public Relation Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement yesterday, said the suspects, who came from the Republic of Benin, went to steal the vehicle at a function in Anthony Village.
Hundeyin said the suspects specialised in stealing vehicles from functions in Nigeria and thought they could use the cover of the ongoing nationwide protests to have easy access out of Nigeria after committing the crime.
He said: “Luck ran out on them after stealing the vehicle at about 12 a.m., as the Divisional Police Officer of Trade Fair, while on special duty over the ongoing protests, received intelligence that one red Toyota Corona vehicle was coming towards the location where he and his men were patrolling and monitoring.
“Suddenly, at a high speed, in a suspicious manner, the vehicle was coming, the DPO immediately alerted his team for a stop and search of vehicles. Immediately the suspects got to where the policemen iwere, they sped off again.
“The suspects were immediately given a hot chase and police eventually flagged the vehicle down at Abule Ado. Both suspects were promptly arrested with the stolen vehicle and they were taken to the police station for further investigation.”
It was during investigation that the suspects confessed that they came from the Republic of Benin to steal vehicles in Nigeria.
The police spokesperson said the Corona, with registration number JJJ 741 EJ, was “recovered from them, along with different charms.” Investigation is ongoing on the matter.
