The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 22-year-old woman, Azeez Khadijat, for her alleged involvement in the repainting of a suspected stolen Suzuki minibus.

The suspect was apprehended by detectives from the Omu-Ijebu Divisional Headquarters following actionable intelligence, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi.

Babaseyi said the incident occurred on Sunday, April 19, at about 4:00 p.m., when reports indicated that three men and a woman were seen in a bush along Ikhasi Road, Kajola, via Omu, repainting a Suzuki minibus, popularly known as “Korope,” without a registration number.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle, originally painted yellow, was being changed to white and blue, allegedly to conceal its identity.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, police operatives were deployed to the scene. However, upon sighting the officers, the other suspects reportedly fled into the surrounding bush, leaving behind Khadijat, who was arrested inside the vehicle.

The minibus was subsequently recovered and taken into custody at the police station, where it was later identified as bearing a Lagos State registration number.

A search of the area led to the recovery of several items believed to belong to the fleeing suspects, including three mobile phones, a power bank, a paint container, sandpaper, and a Type-C charging cable.

According to the police, preliminary findings suggest that the vehicle may have been used for criminal activities in Lagos State, with the repainting intended to alter its appearance and evade law enforcement.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, Bode Ojajuni, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, assuring that all suspects involved would be apprehended and brought to justice.