According to a statement released on Saturday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babasuyi Oluseyi, the police said Onouha and his gang operated by posing as security operatives in fake uniforms.
The Lagos State Police Command has said it has dismantled a notorious syndicate which specialised in vandalising exotic vehicles across the metropolis, following the arrest of its leader, 46-year-old Jude Onouha.
According to a statement released on Saturday by the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babasuyi Oluseyi, the police said Onouha and his gang operated by posing as security operatives in fake uniforms.
Oluseyi explained that to reinforce their deception, they carried a Mercedes-Benz car jack modified to resemble a firearm.
She said with this ruse, the suspects gained entry into residential estates under the guise of conducting security checks.
She noted that the gang targeted high-value vehicles, including Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Lexus 650, and Mercedes-Benz SUVs.
They systematically stripped the cars of vital components such as brainboxes, wiring systems, side mirrors, and control devices, inflicting huge losses on unsuspecting residents.
The statement read, “The Police detectives of the Lagos State Police Command successfully arrested one Jude Onouha ‘m’, aged 46, who is the kingpin and gang leader of a vicious and notorious criminal syndicate that specializes in disguising as security operatives in fake security outfit uniforms and using a Mercedes car jack modified to look like firearms to gain access into estates within Lagos metropolis.
“The suspect and his gang specialized in disguising themselves as security operatives, wearing fake uniforms and using a modified Mercedes-Benz car jack, crafted to resemble a firearm, to deceive unsuspecting estate security personnel. Under the false pretense of conducting security investigations, they gained access into several residential estates.
“Once inside, the gang targeted high-end vehicles such as Toyota Hilux, Toyota Highlander, Lexus 650, Mercedes-Benz, and other SUVs, systematically vandalizing them and removing vital and expensive components including brainboxes, tapping glasses, wiring systems, side mirrors, and control devices.
“The kingpin arrested corroborated the crime and he is assisting the police detectives in the further investigation of the case.
“Efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the gang for investigation and prosecution. Recovered from the suspect were one Mercedes Benz car jack and a face cap with the inscription Special Force, which he used to disguise himself as a security operative.”
According to the police spokesperson, efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang and their accomplices.
“The Command hereby wishes to advise residents, particularly estate management and security guards, to exercise vigilance and utmost caution whenever person(s) represent themselves as operatives of any security agency and seek to gain entrance into their estates.
“In addition to basic verification, residents are urged to collaborate closely with the Police by contacting the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) covering their area to confirm the authenticity of any such security personnel before granting them access into their estates. Where there is any doubt, such persons should immediately be referred to the nearest police division.”
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