Lagos Police Arrest Alleged Kingpin of N1bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover 16 Cars

Lagos Police Arrest Alleged Kingpin of N1bn Vehicle Fraud Syndicate, Recover 16 Cars

LAGOS – The Lagos State Police Command has arrested the alleged kingpin of a sophisticated vehicle fraud syndicate linked to the fraudulent acquisition of 29 vehicles worth more than N1 billion in Lagos.

The suspect, Ismaila Jaji, popularly known as "Otunba," was apprehended after months of investigation following confessional statements made by previously arrested members of the syndicate, who identified him as the mastermind behind the alleged criminal operation.

Police sources disclosed that Jaji had been on the run before detectives eventually tracked him down, marking a major breakthrough in an investigation that has lasted for nearly a year.

Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, to intensify efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover the remaining stolen vehicles.

The commissioner had earlier assured the public during a press briefing, where several recovered exotic vehicles were displayed, that the alleged ringleader would be arrested.

According to police investigations, the syndicate specialised in fraudulently obtaining exotic vehicles from unsuspecting automobile dealers by falsely claiming the vehicles were needed for legitimate business transactions or political engagements.

Investigators said the suspects allegedly obtained the vehicles using dud or post-dated cheques before selling them to unsuspecting third parties, while concealing the identities of the actual beneficiaries through intermediaries.

The investigation, which began with three separate complaints, later expanded to 12 cases involving allegations of conspiracy, obtaining goods by false pretence, fraudulent conversion, stealing, and issuance of dud cheques.

Although the complaints were lodged independently by different victims, detectives established that they were all connected to a single organised criminal network.

Police identified other members of the syndicate as Adeyemo Muritala, Fatai Eleku, Fatai Balogun, Ismail Ajayi, Bashiru Babatunde, and another suspect identified simply as Segun.

The Command said intelligence-led policing, supported by the AUTOREG vehicle tracking platform, has so far resulted in the recovery of 16 vehicles, with 12 already returned to their rightful owners.

However, vehicles valued at approximately N534 million remain unaccounted for, while efforts are ongoing to recover the outstanding vehicles and arrest other fleeing suspects.

"We remain committed to apprehending all those involved, recovering the outstanding vehicles, and ensuring they are prosecuted," a police source said.

The investigation, currently being coordinated by the Financial Crimes Section of the SCID under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the department, Dayo Akinbisehin, revealed that the operation was a coordinated criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.

The police also advised vehicle dealers to thoroughly verify the identities and credentials of prospective buyers and exercise caution when transactions involve post-dated cheques or unfamiliar intermediaries.