Police Apprehend Woman in Ogun for Attempting to Conceal Stolen Lagos Minibus via Illegal Repainting

A 22-year-old woman was caught in Ogun State attempting to repaint a stolen Lagos minibus to white and blue. Three other suspects remain at large.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 21, 2026, 6:27 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

Intervention in Remote Repainting Operation

The Ogun State Police Command has successfully disrupted a vehicle theft syndicate following a targeted raid in the Omu-Ijebu district. On Sunday, April 19, 2026, acting on actionable intelligence, detectives from the Omu-Ijebu Divisional Headquarters descended on a secluded area along Ikhasi Road in Kajola. They discovered a group of four individuals engaged in the clandestine repainting of a Suzuki minibus, a vehicle type commonly utilized for commercial transit and known locally as a "Korope."

Tactics of Concealment and Evasion

Upon the arrival of law enforcement at approximately 4:00 p.m., the suspects attempted to flee into the surrounding dense vegetation. While three unidentified men successfully evaded the officers, 22-year-old Azeez Khadijat was apprehended inside the vehicle. Investigations revealed that the minibus, which lacked visible registration plates at the time of the raid, was originally painted yellow—the standard color for commercial vehicles in Lagos. The suspects were in the process of changing the exterior to a white and blue color scheme to effectively mask its origin and avoid detection.

Recovery of Evidence and Forensic Leads

Following the arrest, the police conducted a thorough search of the immediate vicinity. In addition to the impounded minibus, operatives recovered several items abandoned by the fleeing suspects, including three mobile phones, a power bank, a container of paint, sandpaper, and various charging cables. Subsequent forensic checks identified the vehicle’s original Lagos State registration number, leading authorities to believe the minibus was stolen in Lagos and transported across state lines specifically for alteration and subsequent criminal use.