The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected inter-state car thief and recovered a vehicle allegedly stolen from his employer in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The police said his arrest followed an intelligence-led operation involving the Nigerian Army.
The suspect, identified as Bamidele Rowell Lodi, was arrested after allegedly purchasing fuel worth ₦100,000 at a filling station in Epinmi, Ondo State, and driving away without payment.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the incident occurred at about 11:59 a.m. on Friday, October 9, 2026, when a distress call was received from one Akin Thomas, who reported that a motorist had allegedly absconded after collecting fuel.
The suspect was said to have distracted the fuel attendant by asking him to fetch water before speeding away without paying for the petrol.
Following the report, operatives attached to the Isua Division immediately mobilised, mounted route blocks and commenced a pursuit of the fleeing motorist.
The police said the suspect diverted onto the Ise–Ikare Road upon sighting the operatives in an attempt to evade arrest.
However, the pursuing officers sustained the chase and alerted Nigerian Army personnel at the Auga checkpoint. The coordinated operation led to the suspect’s interception and arrest.
A subsequent investigation reportedly linked the vehicle in the suspect’s possession to one allegedly stolen from his employer in Port Harcourt.
READ ALSO:Â Ekiti Policemen In Viral Extortion Video Face Disciplinary Action In Abuja
The police said investigators compared the vehicle’s chassis number with that of a suspected stolen vehicle earlier reported to them and found that the numbers matched.
Further intelligence indicated that Lodi was employed as a security guard by the vehicle’s owner in Rivers State and allegedly stole the vehicle before fleeing.
The suspect and the recovered vehicle remain in police custody as investigations continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft, verify ownership and determine whether he may be connected to other criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Felix Ohagwu, commended the operatives of the Isua Division for their prompt response and professionalism, as well as the Nigerian Army personnel at the Auga checkpoint for their cooperation.
Ohagwu said the operation demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing, swift police response and collaboration among security agencies in combating crime across state boundaries.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities and provide credible information to security agencies, assuring them that the Command would continue to strengthen its crime-prevention efforts.
The police reiterated their commitment to ensuring that Ondo State does not become a safe haven for criminals, adding that appropriate legal action would follow the conclusion of investigations.