10-year-old car vandalism gang busted in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has dismantled a suspected vehicle vandalism gang that has been active for approximately ten years across the state. Two members, Uba Chigozie, 46, and Onyeka Emordi, 37, were apprehended by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit under the guidance of CSP Sunday Cirman. The suspects were believed to specialize in targeting Toyota vehicles such as Corolla, Sienna, and Hilux, with their preferred victims being vehicles parked on the roadside or those that had broken down.

The gang could complete a vandalism operation and remove valuable parts within ten minutes, earning up to N100,000 per incident. They targeted various car components, including brain boxes, press button machines, pigeon holes, and air-conditioning vents, which were then sold to buyers of stolen vehicle parts. Chigozie, a former spare parts dealer, was arrested at a hotel in Ijesha, Lagos, where he had been staying for four months.

He claimed his involvement in the crime began after the demolition of his spare parts shop, which left him and his family in financial hardship. Emordi, a resident of Asaba, Delta State, was introduced to car vandalism in 2022 after losing his job as a casual driver. He stated that the gang members came from different parts of Lagos but would gather at selected locations before carrying out their operations.

The gang allegedly used a Mercedes-Benz jack, disguised as a firearm, to intimidate victims during confrontations. The police have vowed to continue their efforts to eradicate criminal elements from the state.