The Delta State Police Command has apprehended five suspects involved in the theft of a luxury vehicle belonging to the logistics company Young Shall Grow Motors.
The suspects allegedly plotted to steal and dismantle the vehicle for sale in Delta State.
Speaking during a parade of the suspects in a video via X, the command’s spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, described the case as “unique” due to the manner in which the vehicle was stolen.
According to Bright, the suspects exploited insider knowledge about the vehicle’s security.
“One of them works with Young Shall Grow in the past as a panel beater and according to him, by the time he finished and gained his freedom, Young Shall Grow did not retain him, hence, he left.
“He said he has been monitoring where they park their vehicle in Abia State and he knows of a fact that they don’t usually lock their doors and they always leave the key at the ignition of the vehicle,” Bright said.
The suspect reportedly contacted an accomplice, who drove the vehicle from Aba, Abia State, to Warri, Delta State, intending to sell it to scrap dealers.
The plan was thwarted due to recent warnings issued by the Divisional Police Officer in Ekpan, Delta State.
“The DPO had proactively warned scrap dealers not to purchase vehicles without proper documentation. This caution prompted the dealers to demand receipts and particulars of the vehicle before any transaction,” Bright explained.
The lack of documentation raised suspicions, leading to the police intercepting the vehicle in a bush where the suspects planned to dismantle it.
“To cut the long story short, they were caught due to our intelligence gathering and the information we got where they were moving it to a bush in a certain location where they would have been able to butcher this vehicle without anybody knowing. They were intercepted and we arrested five of them,” SP Bright added.
During an interrogation, one of the suspects, Michael Odubo, admitted to his role in the scheme.
“Last week, when I went to Aba to buy goods, I noticed the vehicle. I called the driver and planned to drive it to Warri to sell it,” Odubo said.
When asked about the intended sale price, Odubo said they planned to sell the vehicle for ₦5 million.
However, Bright revealed that the vehicle’s engine alone was valued at ₦13 million.
“What I want members of the public to know is that there is no gain. There is no gain in criminality. That is just the truth. At one point or the other, you’ll get caught. Avoid cheap means of getting money. Imagine these young guys want to do away with a luxurious vehicle like this for N5m.
“I was made to know that the engine of this vehicle is N13 million. But somebody who wanted to reap from where they did not sow want to sell it for N5m,” Bright said.
He also emphasised the importance of self-policing, urging vehicle owners to take precautionary measures.
The suspects will face charges as the investigation continues.
Bright commended the proactive efforts of the DPO and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
“Thank God for the proactiveness of the DPO to see that he advised those car dealers to stop buying vehicles without receipt and vehicle particulars.
“This vehicle belonging to young shall grow would have begun by now. Secondly, avoid leaving your ignition in the vehicle. You leave the key at the ignition and say oh nothing happened.
“See something can happen. That is the truth because police cannot be everywhere at the same time. Police yourself so that it will be easier for us to police you,” he said.
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