I Buy Cars From Robbers, Not Kidnappers – Suspect

The Lagos State Police Command has apprehended a man who specialises in buying stolen cars and selling them at his showroom in the Berger area of Lagos.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect, Obioma Onuoha, was arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad for buying the vehicle of a victim of kidnapping.

Our correspondent learnt that Onuoha was arrested after the alleged kidnappers, Ugochukwu Ezeoma, Samuel Oha, Bernard Okoro and Hebeeb Garba exposed him.

The kidnappers were said to have kidnapped a businessman in the Agbara area of Ogun State and sold his Hyundai Sports Utility Vehicle to Onuoha.

In his defence, Onuoha, who claimed to be 37 years, said he thought the vehicle was that of a robbery victim and not kidnapping.


He said, “I buy cars from robbers only. It was a friend, James Emoh, that introduced me to the guys (kidnappers) in October last year. I have bought five cars from them. I bought two Honda Accord salon cars, a Toyota Highlander, a Honda CRV and the Hyundai from them.

“I bought the Highlander for N600, 000 and sold it for N1.45m. I bought the CRV for N900, 000 but I have not sold it yet.

“I thought these guys were just car thieves who did not use guns. It was when I was arrested that the police told me that the guys were kidnappers. I hate kidnappers and I can never deal with them. If I had known, I would not have done business with them.”

A second suspect, Emoh, told PUNCH Metro that he had been remanded in the Kirikiri Prison before.

Emoh said after his release, he stayed away from crime for four years, but was tempted back into the illegitimate business because he needed to feed his family.

The indigene of Imo State said, “Four years ago, I stole N250, 000 and was arrested and remanded for robbery for nine months. After I was released, I vowed never to return to crime and I became a petty trader at the Alaba International Market.

“However, a few months ago, a friend of mine said he needed to buy a car at a cheap price. It was around that time that the kidnappers contacted me saying they needed to sell End of Discussion (Honda Accord).

“So I connected both parties and made N50, 000 from the transaction. Ever since then, I became a middle man, connecting buyers and sellers.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that some of the stolen vehicles had been recovered by the police.

Confirming the arrests, Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said investigations were ongoing, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.