The Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command has arrested two suspects, Sodiq Musa and Saidu Atiku, over theft of vehicle brain boxes.
Musa, 28, who claimed to be a graduate of Political Science was arrested alongside Atiku, 34, a security guard.
According to RRS, Musa was arrested while removing vehicle brain boxes at a company on Awolowo Road, Ikeja, Lagos. He was in company of another suspect, Ridwan Adamu, when a security guard raised the alarm that got him apprehended while Adamu escaped.
The duo were said to have removed about four brain boxes before they had their lucks run out. Three of the brain boxes were found on Musa, while his accomplice escaped with the fourth.
Confessing to RRS operatives, Musa said he was trained by Adamu and could remove a brain box within two to four minutes.
“I worked in Lagos as a barbeque man in various hotels and events before I met Ridwan who introduced me to brain box theft where he taught me all the antics and styles.
“We use ‘magic stone’, that is vehicle spark plug, to break vehicle windows without attracting attention. It takes two minutes to loose a Toyota Hiace bus brain box and it takes four minutes to lose a Toyota Hilux box.
“The spark plug reduces the noise and effects quick break of any vehicle window and we tie the plug in a handkerchief in a situation where we have multiple vehicles to work on.
“We specialised in stealing Toyota brain boxes because they fetch good money in the market. The demand for them are higher than any other brand. For example, we sold a Toyota Hiace bus for N40,000 while that of Toyota Hilux goes for N20,000.
“Ridwan gives me 40% of whatever we make from the sale of our loots. He has never disclosed where we were to carry out our next operation because he feels he is my boss.”
He however implicated Atiku who worked as a security guard in the company. He claimed the suspect informed them of the ease of stealing from the company and pretended to have slept off when the act was been carried out.
Speaking on the arrests, Lagos Police Commissioner, Zubairu Muazu, said the suspects will be charged to court after thorough investigation.