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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested Ismaila Jaji, popularly known as Otunba, the alleged kingpin of a vehicle fraud syndicate linked to the fraudulent acquisition of 29 vehicles valued at over N1 billion across Lagos.
Jaji, who had been on the run for several months, was apprehended following sustained investigations and confessional statements by earlier arrested members of the syndicate, who allegedly identified him as the mastermind behind the fraud that had operated for almost one year.
His arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, ordering the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, to intensify investigations and ensure the arrest of all members of the criminal network.
The police commissioner had earlier assured the public during a media briefing, where some of the recovered exotic vehicles were displayed, that the alleged leader of the syndicate, Otunba Jaji, would be apprehended. His arrest has now fulfilled that promise.
A police source disclosed that the syndicate specialised in fraudulently obtaining exotic vehicles from unsuspecting automobile dealers by pretending the vehicles were needed for legitimate business or political engagements before diverting and selling them for personal gain.
According to the source, the suspects deceived reputable vehicle dealers by claiming the vehicles were required for genuine transactions.
“They obtained the vehicles using dud or post-dated cheques before selling and transferring them to third parties, while concealing the identities of the principal beneficiaries through intermediaries,” the source said.
The source explained that the breakthrough followed the harmonisation of three separate investigations, which later expanded to 12 cases involving conspiracy, obtaining goods by false pretence, fraudulent conversion, stealing and the issuance of dud cheques.
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“Although the complaints were lodged separately by different victims, detectives established that they were all perpetrated by the same organised criminal syndicate,” the source added.
Police investigations identified members of the syndicate as Adeyemo Muritala, Fatai Eleku, Fatai Balogun, Ismail Ajayi, Bashiru Babatunde, Ismaila Jaji, popularly known as Otunba, and another suspect identified simply as Segun.
The source further revealed that intelligence-led policing, supported by the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, led to the recovery of 16 vehicles, 12 of which have already been returned to their rightful owners.
According to the police, vehicles valued at approximately N534 million are still outstanding, while efforts have been intensified to recover the remaining vehicles and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
“We remain committed to apprehending all those involved, recovering the outstanding vehicles and ensuring that everyone connected with the crime is brought to justice,” the source said.
He noted that investigations had exposed a well-coordinated criminal syndicate rather than isolated cases of vehicle fraud.
The police also advised vehicle dealers to thoroughly verify the identities and credentials of prospective buyers and exercise extreme caution in transactions involving post-dated cheques, unfamiliar intermediaries or suspicious payment arrangements.
The ongoing investigation is being coordinated by the Financial Crimes Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, under the direct supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Mr Dayo Akinbisehin.
