Police in Ondo burst car theft syndicate in major operation, recover repainted Toyota Camry

Saturday, September 13, 2025 - Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have smashed a car theft syndicate that specialises in breaking into compounds and stealing vehicles in Akure, the state capital. 

The spokesperson of the command, Olayinka Ayanlade, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, September 12, 2025 said operatives recovered a Toyota ‘Muscle’ Camry stolen from one Madam Akomolafe Bolanle in Akure. 

According to the PPRO, the car was later recovered after it had been repainted from golden to blue and hidden in the apartment of one Michael Olamilekan. 

Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the vehicle from one Adewumi (surname unknown), now at large, at the rate of N4 million.

"The Ondo State Police Command, under the proactive leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, PSC+, MNIPS, and in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has once again recorded a major breakthrough in its relentless fight against crime in the State,” the statement read. 

"On the 18th day of July, 2025, at about 4:00 a.m., a case of criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, and stealing was reported at Osi Area, Akure

"According to the complainant, Madam Akomolafe Bolanle ‘f’, some unknown persons unlawfully gained access into her apartment, which had no burglary proof, stole the key to her Toyota Camry (Muzzle, Golden Colour, 2010 Model, Unregistered), and carted away the said vehicle along with other valuable items.

"Following diligent investigation and intelligence-led policing, operatives of the Command Surveillance Team, acting on credible information, successfully recovered the vehicle on the 7th of September, 2025, in Owo, where it had been repainted from its original golden colour to blue and concealed in the apartment of one Fagbote Micheal Olamilekan ‘m’.

“Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he bought the vehicle from one Adewumi (surname unknown), now at large, at the rate of N4 million, despite the vehicle having been previously purchased by the rightful owner on 26th December, 2024, at the rate of N10 million.”