The Ogun State Police Command has recovered a stolen Lexus 460 SUV valued at N45 million within hours of receiving a report of its theft, and arrested a suspect allegedly involved in a plot to sell the vehicle in Cotonou, Benin Republic, for just N10 million.
The operation was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, ValidViewNetwork reports.
THE THEFT
The drama began on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at about 7 p.m., when the owner of the black Lexus 460 SUV reported its theft to detectives at the Agbado Division .
The vehicle had been taken by the owner’s 28-year-old driver, Jeremiah Jacob Emmanuel.
According to preliminary investigations, the driver had conveyed his employer to his office earlier in the day. But instead of waiting for him, the driver later drove away with the vehicle without authorisation, allegedly claiming that his wife was indisposed .
THE PLOT
The driver did not act alone. He reportedly took the SUV to meet two other individuals: 34-year-old Akeem Olawale and one Monday Keshi, who is currently at large .
The suspects had allegedly arranged to move the vehicle to Cotonou, Benin Republic, where it would be sold for N10 million—far below its estimated market value of N45 million.
THE RECOVERY
The police did not waste time. Detectives immediately launched an operation after receiving the report, deploying investigative resources to track down those involved .
“The operation led to the arrest of one of the suspects at Agbado Crossing at about 7:00 p.m. on the same day, while the stolen Lexus was successfully recovered,” Babaseyi said .
The arrested suspect, Akeem Olawale, allegedly admitted during preliminary investigations that he was involved in the planned movement of the vehicle to Cotonou for sale.
THE MANHUNT
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing accomplice, Monday Keshi .The case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation .
THE COMMISSIONER’S COMMENDATION
The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the detectives for their “vigilance, swift response and professionalism” .
He reiterated the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led operations, disrupt criminal networks, and ensure that those involved in criminal activities are brought to justice .
“The Command assures residents of its unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious activities and provide credible information that can assist police operations,” the statement added.
WHY IT MATTERS
This is a story of a crime that almost worked, and the police response that stopped it.
The plan was audacious.
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A trusted driver, given access to his employer’s N45 million SUV, decided to steal it and sell it across the border for a fraction of its value. The buyer in Cotonou would have gotten a bargain. The driver and his accomplices would have made a quick profit.
And the owner would have been left with nothing.
But the police were faster.Within hours, the vehicle was recovered. One suspect was in custody. The other was on the run. And a criminal network was disrupted.
The recovery is a credit to the Agbado Division detectives and the intelligence-led approach championed by the Commissioner of Police. It is also a warning to anyone who thinks they can steal a vehicle and get away with it: the police are watching, and they are quick.
The SUV has been returned to its owner. The suspects will face justice. And the driver who fled with his boss’s car is on the run, but not for long. ValidViewNetwork reports.