The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a suspected car thief after a drug induced theft and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla in Abuja.

 

The spokesperson of the command, DSP Ayanlade Olusola, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, November 6, 2025 said the suspect, Ojodi Esiah, hired the vehicle belonging to Tunde Olubode under the pretext of attending to business within Akure.

 

The suspect deceitfully induced Olubode to take alcohol laced with a sedative.

 

When Olubode fell into deep sleep as a result of the drug laced alcohol, Esiah absconded with the vehicle.

 

“The Ondo State Police Command has recorded another notable success in its sustained drive to combat crime and protect private property, following the arrest of a suspected car thief and the recovery of a stolen Toyota Corolla traced to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja,” the statement read.

 

“Investigation revealed that the suspect, Ojodi Esiah, hired a Toyota Corolla belonging to Tunde Olubode under the pretext of attending to business within Akure metropolis.

 

“While in the Agbogbo area of the city, the suspect deceitfully induced the vehicle owner to take alcohol laced with a sedative, causing him to fall into deep sleep.

 

“Taking advantage of the situation, the suspect absconded with the vehicle. Prompt reporting by the owner enabled the Command to immediately launch a discreet, intelligence- and technology-led investigation to trace and recover the stolen car.

 

“Through coordinated efforts and strong intra-agency collaboration between the Ondo State Police Command and the FCT Police Command, operatives traced the stolen vehicle to the Gwagwalada area of Abuja.

 

“Acting on this intelligence, the suspect was arrested, and the vehicle was successfully recovered.

 

“Subsequently, both the recovered vehicle and the suspect were conveyed to Akure on 4th November 2025, where he remains in custody as further investigations continue to determine the extent of his involvement in similar offences and to identify possible accomplices.”