Operatives of the Ifo Division of the Ogun State Police Command have recovered a stolen 2016 Toyota Camry from a hotel in Ifo, less than eight hours after the vehicle was reported stolen, while one suspect was arrested and efforts intensified to apprehend another who fled.
The vehicle, belonging to an Indian national based at the Ilupeju Industrial Estate, Lagos, was allegedly stolen on September 9, 2026, by the driver, Waidi Olaide Kolawale, who had been employed only two days earlier.
Kolawale reportedly told his employer that he was taking the vehicle to a nearby vulcaniser to repair a tyre but allegedly drove away with the car and absconded.
Following the report, the vehicle was electronically tracked to the Ifo axis. The information was relayed to the Divisional Police Officer, Ifo Division, CSP Kamorudeen Olabisi, who analysed the available intelligence and deployed surveillance and anti-robbery operatives.
The operatives tracked the vehicle through several locations before locating it at a hotel in Ifo at about 8:30 p.m.
On sighting the police, Kolawale allegedly fled with the ignition key, while his alleged accomplice, Monday Adetunji, was arrested at the scene.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly approached a mechanic to remove the vehicle’s catalyst, but the mechanic declined.
The recovered vehicle has since been handed over to its owner, while police efforts continue to arrest the fleeing suspect and establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Confirming the development, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, advised vehicle owners to install reliable tracking devices and adopt additional anti-theft measures, including steering and tyre locks.
He also urged members of the public to exercise due diligence when entrusting their vehicles, property or access to their homes and businesses to others, stressing that trust should be accompanied by proper verification.
