Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have recovered a stolen Toyota Highlander SUV and arrested two suspects believed to have stolen the vehicle in Kajola, Ondo State.
The suspects, identified as Oluwajobi Ezekiel and Patrick Francis, both residents of Kajola, allegedly deceived the vehicle’s owner, one Olaolu Benson, under the pretence of helping to gauge the tyre of his car. The incident occurred on October 4, 2025, around 6:00 p.m.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, the suspects approached Benson, claiming that one of the tyres of his Toyota Highlander Jeep, a 2012 model with registration number KSF 433 JR, was deflated.
Trusting them as familiar faces in the neighbourhood, the victim handed over the keys to the vehicle.
However, instead of returning as promised, the suspects allegedly diverted the car, bought fuel at a nearby filling station, and attempted to drive it to Ondo town to sell it.
Their suspicious movement was reported to the police, prompting operatives from Kajola Division to launch a discreet manhunt.
The suspects were intercepted and arrested before they could dispose of the vehicle, which was recovered in good condition.
They were subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation to track other possible accomplices.
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, commended the swift response of the Kajola Divisional Police team, describing the operation as a demonstration of the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community-based policing in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Lawal assured residents of the Command’s resolve to ensure that offenders face the full weight of the law and urged the public to remain vigilant when dealing with others, regardless of familiarity.
