Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 22-year-old woman has been arrested by Ogun State Police Command for allegedly repainting a stolen Suzuki minibus in a secluded bush, an operation that has exposed a common but often overlooked tactic used by criminal syndicates to disguise stolen commercial vehicles. Azeez Khadijat was apprehended on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at about 4:00 p.m., following a tip-off that three men and a woman were spotted along Ikhasi Road, Kajola via Omu, in Omu-Ijebu, Odogbolu Local Government Area, illegally repainting a "Korope" minibus without a registration number.
The vehicle, originally yellow, was being repainted in white and blue in an attempt to alter its appearance and avoid detection by law enforcement.
Police spokesperson DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed in a statement that detectives from the Omu-Ijebu Divisional Headquarters acted swiftly on the intelligence. Upon sighting the operatives, the male suspects fled in different directions, but Khadijat was arrested inside the abandoned vehicle.
The minibus, which bore a Lagos State registration plate, was recovered and secured at the station. A search of the scene led to the recovery of three mobile phones, a power bank, a paint can, sandpaper, and a Type-C charging cord, all suspected to belong to the fleeing accomplices.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the minibus was allegedly used for criminal activities in Lagos State, prompting the suspects to repaint it to conceal its identity and evade detection.
This modus operandi is not new; criminals often employ simple repainting to give stolen vehicles a fresh look, making them harder for owners or authorities to recognize. The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) at Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism, assuring that all fleeing accomplices would be brought to justice.
He urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through the command's emergency lines. As investigations continue, this incident serves as a reminder of the evolving tactics of criminals and the importance of community intelligence in combating vehicle theft. The police are intensifying efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects, who are currently at large. The recovered minibus remains in police custody as evidence, and the suspect is expected to face charges once the investigation is concluded.
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