Residents of Lagos, particularly those in the Lekki Phase 1 area, have expressed deep concern and outrage following the circulation of a CCTV video showing armed vandals attacking and dismantling luxury vehicles within an estate. The footage, captured on March 7, 2025, was shared publicly on Sunday by Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu. Fasua, who obtained the video from a victim, described the perpetrators as “smart-looking guys armed to the teeth” who carried out the crime with remarkable precision and confidence.
In the video, the suspects can be seen effortlessly dismantling car parts without encountering resistance or interference, raising serious questions about the level of security in the area. Fasua, in his post, expressed concern over the fact that despite the clear footage, the criminals remain at large. “These are armed robbers who stripped cars somewhere in Lekki 1,” he wrote, urging that they be apprehended. The video quickly sparked a flurry of reactions from Nigerians, with many demanding that estate security systems be improved, and law enforcement agencies adopt more advanced forensic methods in tackling such crimes.
One commenter, Dapo Kale, criticized the Nigeria Police Force for its apparent lack of effective crime scene investigation and the failure to collect proper evidence. Kale suggested that the police should employ modern techniques like fingerprint scanning, using systems such as NIN (National Identification Number) and BVN (Bank Verification Number), to help identify suspects. “If fingerprints were collected and scanned through all available channels in Nigeria, many of these culprits would be apprehended,” Kale remarked, emphasizing the need for a more systematic approach to crime scene processing.
Others voiced suspicions of insider involvement in the robbery. Tunde Alabi pointed out the careful manner in which the criminals avoided being captured on CCTV, including the deliberate shifting of the camera. “The way they avoided their faces being captured and later shifted the CCTV camera up showed that it was a planned job! By the way, why was there no security around?” Alabi questioned, adding that the suspects’ actions indicated a well-organized operation. He also suggested that the perpetrators would eventually be caught, a sentiment echoed by several others.
Concerns were also raised about the demand for stolen car parts. Wisdom E. Nwansi asked, “Who are those buying these parts?” He stressed that if there were no buyers for stolen goods, such crimes would be less likely to occur. Nwansi urged that both the criminals and the buyers of the stolen parts be apprehended, pointing out that similar illegal activities are happening at the nation’s ports.
Nnaemeka F. Onyegbule, another commenter, called for enhanced security measures in luxury estates to keep up with the changing dynamics of crime in the area. He proposed employing well-trained, professional security personnel instead of relying solely on gatekeepers. Onyegbule also recommended the installation of advanced surveillance systems, such as CCTV cameras at strategic points, motion sensors, and alarm systems to improve estate security.
Bimbo Olarinde, a resident, noted that similar incidents have been increasingly common in the Lekki Phase 1 area. She mentioned having reported similar crimes to the Maroko Police Station, yet no progress had been made in arresting the criminals. According to her, the robbers often strike around 4:30 a.m., a time when security guards are likely to be asleep. She pointed out that the targeted vehicles are typically high-end models, including the Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus, which are often chosen for their resale value.
Michael Fatunase and Adewuyi Adeshina Nasir, also weighing in on the matter, echoed the importance of leveraging technology in combating such crimes. They suggested the use of motion-sensing alarms and incorporating biometric data, such as NIN and BVN, into investigations to help track down the culprits.
Francis Denedo, another commenter, also suspected insider involvement in the heist. He argued that the ease with which the criminals carried out their operation indicated that they had inside knowledge of the estate’s security weaknesses. “The confidence with which they operated suggests they were sure no one would disturb their actions,” Denedo said. He also pointed out that the criminals appeared to be armed with pistols, a weapon not typically in the hands of ordinary criminals, implying that they were professional thieves.
As the investigation continues, residents and commentators alike are calling for stronger security measures, both within estates and at the national level, to prevent future occurrences of such crimes.
