The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a black Nissan Pathfinder Jeep which had been converted into a pickup van by its owner from two suspected car thieves, Adebayo Abosede and Modupe Obadimu, in the Lafenwa area of the state.
A police source privy to the report of the stolen vehicle but who spoke on condition pf anonymity because he was not authorised to speak for the command, said the car was taken away from the compound of Lukman Otesile on Abiola Way in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Saturday.
Our correspondent learnt that Otesile had earlier been entrusted with the car with number plate SL 842 AAA by its owner.
The state police spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed on Tuesday that the vehicle had been recovered and the suspects had been detained.
She added that the car was parked in front of Otesile’s house but went missing after he allowed the two strangers into his home.
PUNCH Online gathered that Otesile reported that his elder sister had introduced Abosede and Obadimu as extended family members who were set to move in with him.
Following the car’s disappearance, Otesile reported the incident at the Kemta Police Division, expressing suspicion that the two new acquaintances might be involved.
Odutola said, “The police officers under the Kemta Police Division visited the scene where the car was stolen, took photographs, and investigated the case. The vehicle was recovered at the Brewery Area at Lafenwa in Abeokuta from a 23-year-old scrap dealer, Kalid Yau.
“Yau confessed that he bought the exhibit from the two men, who were earlier accused of the theft by Otesile, so the event led to their arrest. Further development will be communicated to you.”
PUNCH Metro reported in May 2024 that another car owner known as Taiwo Fayobi sought the command’s intervention after hoodlums allegedly stole his Toyota Camry car with his son in it in the Ikenne Remo area of Ogun State.
Our correspondent learnt that the incident happened when Fayobi was trying to open his house gate.
At that moment, the assailants jumped into his vehicle and drove off, taking his three-year-old son with them.