A former panel beater with Young Shall Grow Motors, Michael Odubu, has, in a shocking confession, revealed his role in the theft of a luxurious bus belonging to the transportation giant.
Odubu, along with four accomplices, was arrested by the Delta State Police Command while attempting to sell the stolen vehicle in Warri, Delta State.
Odubu, who hails from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State, admitted to meticulously planning the crime, citing his intimate knowledge of the company’s operations.
He disclosed, “I worked with Young Shall Grow for eight years as a panel beater. After completing my apprenticeship, the company did not retain me, so I left. I knew where they park their vehicles in Aba, Abia State, and I also knew they don’t usually lock their doors or remove the keys from the ignition.”
The disgruntled former employee explained how he coordinated with a driver to steal the vehicle. “Last week, when I went to Aba to buy goods, I saw the vehicle. Before I left, I called the driver and told him about it. We planned to move the bus to Warri and sell it for N5 million or N6 million. But when we got to Warri, we couldn’t sell it because there were no papers for the vehicle,” he added.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, who paraded the suspects at Ekpan Police station, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state, provided further details of the case via a video shared on his Instagram handle on Friday, 20th December 2024.
According to SP Edafe, the suspects had approached scrap dealers to sell the vehicle in parts. However, a prior warning issued by the Divisional Police Officer of Ekpan to scrap dealers about the legal consequences of buying vehicles without proper documentation thwarted their plans.
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“Two weeks ago, the DPO of Ekpan, in his usual proactive way of policing, summoned scrap dealers in the area and warned them against buying vehicles without proper documents. When the suspects approached the dealers, they were asked for the vehicle’s receipts and particulars. This raised suspicion, and through intelligence gathering, the police intercepted the suspects while they were moving the vehicle to a bush where they intended to dismantle it,” SP Edafe narrated.
He emphasized the value of the stolen bus, stating, “The engine alone is worth N30 million, yet these criminals wanted to sell the entire vehicle for a mere N5 million. This shows how some people try to reap where they did not sow.”
SP Edafe also issued a caution to the public, urging vigilance and personal responsibility. “There is no gain in criminality. At one point or another, you will be caught. Avoid shortcuts to getting money. Secondly, avoid leaving your key in the ignition; anything can happen. The police cannot be everywhere at the same time, so police yourself so that we can help police you,” he advised.
The suspects are currently in police custody, and investigations are ongoing. The police reiterated their commitment to tackling criminal activities in the state and ensuring that perpetrators face the full wrath of the law.
