A wave of brazen criminal activity has hit the upscale Lekki area of Lagos as armed vandals, captured on security footage, continue to target luxury vehicles in a spate of incidents that has left residents on edge.
CCTV recordings obtained by our correspondent show masked individuals operating in small groups during late night and early morning hours, specifically targeting high-end vehicles parked in residential estates and apartment complexes across Lekki Phase 1 and environs.
The footage reveals the perpetrators arriving in unmarked vehicles, using sophisticated tools to dismantle and remove valuable car parts – particularly catalytic converters, side mirrors, headlights, and navigation systems – from luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Range Rover, all within minutes before fleeing the scene.
Mr. Adebayo Ogunlesi, a resident of Lekki Peninsula Estate whose Range Rover Sport was vandalised last week, recounted his ordeal to our reporter. “I woke up to find my car stripped of its side mirrors and headlights. The estate security footage showed three armed men who spent less than five minutes removing the parts with precision around 3:20 am,” he lamented.
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed awareness of at least twelve similar incidents reported within the last three weeks. CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, the Police Public Relations Officer, told our correspondent that security has been intensified in the area.”We have deployed additional tactical units to patrol the Lekki axis, particularly during vulnerable hours. We are analysing the surveillance footage and working with estate security to apprehend these criminals,” CSP Adejobi stated.
Security experts believe the vandalised luxury car parts are being sold in an underground market where such components fetch substantial amounts due to their high replacement costs.
A standard headlight assembly for some targeted vehicles can cost upwards of ₦900,000 when purchased new.
Estate management associations across Lekki have responded by implementing additional security measures, including increased guard presence, more surveillance cameras, and restriction of unknown vehicles during night hours.
“We’ve established a joint security task force comprised of estate security personnel working in coordination with the police and have implemented stricter access protocols,” explained Mrs. Folashade Balogun, Chairperson of the Peninsula Gardens Residents Association.
Residents have been advised to park their vehicles in well-lit areas preferably with CCTV coverage, install car alarm systems with motion sensors, and report suspicious movements immediately to security personnel.
The police have urged anyone with information regarding these incidents to come forward, assuring that all leads will be treated with utmost confidentiality as they work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
